November 2005
November 3, 2005
Auckland World Usability Day Celebration
As part of World Usability Day, the Auckland UPA invites you to Open Your Eyes to Usability:
Ever felt frustated, confused or lost when surfing the web? Ever wondered how your visitors really 'see' and experience your website?
If so, join us for an evening of activities designed to increase awareness of usability and user-centred design.
Presentations will include "Internet Usability", and a live usability evaluation of a popular website. You will also be able to view examples of eye-tracking research, and experience how blind people 'see' your website using screen readers.
A number of usability experts will be on hand to give advice on any aspect of usability.
Plus: Remote Control Shootout! How many buttons are there on your remote control? Do you know what they all do? How many do you actually *use*? Bring your remote control along and help us find the worst offending example of poor design and usability. We have spot prizes for the best (the worst?) examples.
This event is being organised as part of the first World usability Day, with more than 70 events planned in 35 countries around the globe, starting (naturally) in New Zealand. Visit www.worldusabilityday.org and be amazed by how many people, places and groups are taking part. Come along and be part of the celebration.
Date: Thursday 3rd November
Time: 6.00pm to 8.0pm
Venue: Bank of New Zealand, 3rd floor, 125 Queen Street (Map showing location of building - but we are on the 3rd floor)
Cost: Free - Drinks & nibbles will be provided so please register so that we can order enough wine! And don't forget your remote!
Please RVSP to auckland@upa.org.nz
November 3, 2005
World Usability Day in Wellington: "Making it Easy for E-Govt"
Technology should work and it shouldn't make you feel stupid. That's the goal of this year's first annual World Usability Day on November 3, 2005, with more than 70 events planned in 30 countries around the globe, starting in New Zealand.
The events are being created and driven by Usability Professionals' Association volunteers, whose goal is to promote awareness of the benefits of user-centred design and a positive customer experience.
In Wellington industry professionals and the public are invited to "E-Government Success Stories" - a free event where some of New Zealand's leading usability experts will share their stories on how the usability industry is re-shaping the web landscape in the Government sector.
While in the past there has been strong emphasis on e-government web standards and guidelines, these can sometimes shadow the goal of such standards - ensuring that people who use Government websites can achieve their goals easily and effectively.
"In recent years many Government websites have undergone a makeover and now lead the way on accessible design," says Zef Fugaz, President of the Usability Professionals' Association of New Zealand.
"The next challenge facing the Government sector is in information design and task-based analysis – or understanding the motivation and specific tasks people have in their minds when visiting their online presence."
"In 2006 and beyond, Government organisations will need to have a renewed focus on understanding the people accessing their websites, the tasks they'd like achieve, and ensuring the whole online experience is worthwhile", Fugaz says.
Speakers at the Wellington World Usability Day event include Jock Phillips from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage, speaking on the award winning Te Ara website; Nikki Bristol from Optimal Usability speaking on Korero Maori; and Lynsey Blacklock from Shift speaking on the Ministry of Economic Development.
This will be followed by "Usability Speed Dating" where people are invited to meet with the presenters and usability experts for short one-to-one meetings to chat about usability or get advice. Visitors are encouraged to bring their questions on usability testing, information architecture, interaction design, user research and other usability related issues.
Date: Thursday 3rd November 2005
Time: 12:30pm (ends 1:30pm)
Venue: Synergy International, 3 Queens Wharf (opposite the Events Centre)
Admission: Free (limited capacity)
Coffee and snacks provided
RSVP to wudrsvp@optimalusability.com
November 3, 2005
Christchurch World Usability Open Day
Join us for a fully caffeinated day of talks, workshops, discussion and demonstrations at the home of New Zealands first fully commercial usability lab opened earlier this year.
The open day is structured with 3 ‘channels’ of events going on during the day. We will be hosting talks and workshops from both practitioners and industry representatives to provide you with an honest 360° view of what usability is about, why it’s important and what it can do for you.
We’ll have industry case studies showing how usability has improved business, discussion about how to implement usability within your organization and strategy, and hands on workshops to give you some tools to start using right away.
Also, throughout the day will be usability testing demonstrations at New Zealand’s first fully commercial usability lab.
A highly caffeinated barister will provide complementary ‘good’ coffee and other light snacks and refreshments will be available. Your welcome to come to the whole day or just to those parts that interest you. Come and go as you please.
Location:
Canterbury Innovation Incubator
Opposite Centenial Swimming Pool
200 Armagh Street
Start time: 8.30am
Contact: Alan Cox
November 3, 2005
World Usability Day Kick-Off in Christchurch
Kick off World Usability Day with a breakfast event and the grand opening of New Zealand's first centre devoted to information design and usability. Join dignitaries and special guests to help make the public and business aware of the importance of usability.
World Usability Day in New Zealand will start with a champagne breakfast at 8am making it the first world usability event for the day. New Zealand dignitaries and guests will be invited to open a new usability testing lab. The event will start with a formal Maori welcome (a Powhiri), an opening speech by a public dignitary and then some serious usability testing of champagne and breakfast treats.
Location:
Information Design CentreNZ
Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology
103 High St
Christchurch
Time: 8.00am
Contact:
Alison Reynolds
Alison Reynolds
Phone: 64 3 940 8155
November 21, 2005
OZCHI 2005
OZCHI is Australia and New Zealand's leading forum for work in all areas of human-computer interaction. As the annual conference for the Computer-Human Interaction Special Interest Group (CHISIG) of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia (HFESA), OZCHI attracts an international community of researchers and practitioners with a wide range of interests, including usability, information architecture, interaction design, human factors and ergonomics, human-computer interaction, information systems, software engineering, artificial intelligence, design, social sciences and management.
November 29, 2005
Auckland UPA - Holiday Season Party
Celebrate the holiday season with the UPA community. This meeting will be a casual get together at a local wine bar.
Location: Wine Loft, 67 Shortland St, CBD
Time: Tuesday 29th November, 6 pm onwards
Cost: Drinks & nibbles can be purchased at Wine Loft