Analysis of Windows XP and SUSE Linux 9.1 Operating Systems—A Usability Study

John StubbeAdvanced UsabilityINF 385GDr. Randolph Bias

Content

Introduction Methodology Results and Analysis Conclusions

Introduction

Origin of the Project Evolution of the Project Goals of the Project

Methodology

Six participants installed both Windows XP Professional and SUSE Linux 9.1 Professional operating systems. Ultimate task was to open the word processing application.

Participants were presented with the boxed versions of the operating systems and asked to install the OS and open the word processing application.

Participants were encouraged to dialog with the computer and talk aloud about what they were doing.

Methodology, cont'd

As a counterbalancing measure, 3 participants installed Windows then Linux, and 3 installed Linux followed by Windows

Phone was located next to computer in case participant needed to call the 'help desk'

Participants were observed. Participants completed questionnaires

before and after installations.

Methodology, cont'd

Equipment 2 Dell OptiPlex computers on loan from

iSchool computer lab.• System: Dell Computer Corporation - OptiPlex GX240• Processor: Intel(R) Pentium® 4 CPU 1.80GHz• Main Memory: 256 MB• Monitor: Dell Computer Corporation - E153 15-inch Flat

Panel Color LCD• Keyboard: Dell Quietkey® Keyboard• Mouse: Dell 2-button Scroll Mouse

Results and Analysis

About the Participants (Pre-test) About the Software (Post-test) Miscellaneous (Observations)

About the Participants

Sex Male 4 Female 2

Age Under 18 0 18-25 2 26-35 0 36-45 3 45-55 1 Over 55 0

About the Participants

Computer Use

Every day2

3-5 days/week 4

Most frequently used operating system

Windows4

Mac OS1

Both 1

About the Participants

Installed Windows OS?

Yes 2 No 4

Installed Linux OS?

Yes 0 No 6*

*2 participants had never heard of Linux

About the Software

Windows XP

Avg. Install Time:

1 hour, 21.33 mins.(81.33 mins)

SUSE Linux

Avg. Install Time:

57.66 mins

About the Software

"I found Windows XP easy to install." Strongly agree 2 Somewhat agree 2 Undecided 2 Somewhat disagree 0 Strongly disagree 0

About the Software

"I found SUSE Linux easy to install." Strongly agree 0 Somewhat agree 3 Undecided 2 Somewhat disagree 1 Strongly disagree 0

About the Software

"I found the amount of time needed to install Windows XP acceptable."

Strongly agree 0 Somewhat agree 3 Undecided 1 Somewhat disagree 2 Strongly disagree 0

About the Software

"I found the amount of time needed to install SUSE Linux acceptable."

Strongly agree 0 Somewhat agree 4 Undecided 2 Somewhat disagree 0 Strongly disagree 0

About the Software

"Overall, I was satisfied with the installation for Windows XP."

Strongly agree 2 Somewhat agree 2 Undecided 2 Somewhat disagree 0 Strongly disagree 0

About the Software

"Overall, I was satisfied with the installation for SUSE Linux."

Strongly agree 0 Somewhat agree 3 Undecided 3 Somewhat disagree 0 Strongly disagree 0

Miscellaneous Results and Analysis

Boot to Disk Default – SUSE Linux "What just happened?" "I don't know what I'm supposed to

do." Press F2 for Details – SUSE Linux

"Am I supposed to press F2?" 3 of 6 participants pressed F2 even

though it wasn't necessary.

Miscellaneous Results and Analysis

Warning! – SUSE Linux "Why is it warning me if everything's

okay?" Windows had very few problems; it

took longer to install, but only because it's a heavier OS.

Quotes

"Windows took longer to install, but it didn't seem as long. There was always some kind of interaction. That wasn't the case with the Linux."

--Participant 6 "Windows is really efficient, but it's a little creepy too.

It's like it's trying to be my friend." --Participant 5

"I kept waiting for something to happen during the Linux part. I'd read what was on the screen and then just sit and wait. The timing was really bad."

--Participant 2

Conclusions--Software

Despite the fact that Windows XP takes longer to install, participants still demonstrated a preference for it.

Interactivity of Windows XP makes the waiting easier to endure.

In order for SUSE Linux to compete in the market place, it needs more than a "superior" product; it needs a more refined and user-friendly installation program

Conclusions--Study

Need to include a question about aesthetics in the post-test questionnaire. Example: "I like the appearance of

[software name]." with Likert scale Rephrase "…use most frequently?"

question in pre-test. Allot more time between users. Barely

had time to uninstall OS.