OpenSource Usability Labs

Season of Usability is one of my favorite activities of the year. But it has its downsides as well…

This year again I will mentor - together with Bodo from TV-Browser - one of the Season of Usability projects. This is great because we get the chance to spread the word about usability, help some students to gather experience and at the same time improve a great project even further!

But today was decision-day. We had to select which of the applicants we want to consider for the 2nd round of applications. And I really hate to have to say no to qualified and motivated people - but: these are the rules! So at the end of the day we have nine promising students left in the process of application for the TV-Browser. Good luck to all of them in 2nd round and to all the others: Don’t be sad… There will be other great chances for you!

The OpenUsability.org - Season of Usability (SoU) has started their call for participation. Interested students with a background in Usability, Interface Design, Interaction Design or related topics are invited to support non-commercial OpenSource-Projects with their knowledge and skills in user-centric development. The SoU is to the benefit of both:

• The student is mentored by an experienced usability professional and has the chance to practically use, what he has learned in theory.
• The projects benefit from the fresh wind of a new mind and up-to-date methods in user-centric development.

Like last year Björn is again one of the proud mentors for the students. He mentors the SoU project for TV-Browser. Björn has gone quite a long way with this project, starting work back in 2005.

The premises of this project are just great - so do not hesitate and apply for your participation in the SoU!