INDIVIDUAL PORTFOLIO

Submitted By: Sabin Dangal

Module Name: 106CR”Design for Usability”
CU ID: 10174700
Submission Date: 15July 2020

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 Table of contents
Contents Page Number

Introduction 3

Pact Analysis 3

Application of psychological and social issues on 4

human’s behavior influencing usability
Conceptual Models 4
Affordances:
Constraints:
Convention:
User Interface 5

Usability Design Principle 6

Hierarchical Task Analysis for Skype 7-8

HTA Description:

Usability Testing 9-10

Questioned Asked:
Participant Profiles:

Conclusion 11

Reference 11

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Skype:
Introduction:
Among all the internet free tools available today, skype is possibly one of the tools that
can be use on a daily basis. Basically, Skype is a communication service that allows
people to make computer to computer or phone to computer and vice-versa phone calls
to anyone in the world for free using the internet connection. Skype has different
features that make it amazing tool. Using skype, users can do video calls, phone calls,
screen sharing, instant messaging, send files, conference calls etc.
Pact Analysis:
P-People:
Skype is the very appropriate for the people with physical differences in terms of weight,
height, all senses and any kind of disabilities. There is no age limit in using this
application. All genders are equal rights using this application. Many languages are
available but English is prefreable language. Skype is use to call with those people who
are far from user to connect.
A-Activities:
Skype is for communication so it can be use to do video calls, chat , share photos or
videos and voice calls,conference calls, instant messaging, sent files, screen sharing.
Basically, it helps people to connect from computer to computer or phone to computer
and vice-versa.
C-Context:
Skype are used by different age group people. People of age from 24 -50 years old use
skype regularly because they are job holders and works in different companies. Old
people use it frequently for connecting with their friends or families. Also, this
communication app can use in both indoor and outdoor. So, for connecting internet is
required.
T-Technology:
In cellphones, it has advantages that it is simple to use, get better performance. But at
the same time, it gives small view and creates difficulty to share screen. Whereas in
pcs/laptops, this app gets larger view which enables to share screen easily but data
which are in the pcs have high chance to steal by hackers if security is not maintained.

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Application of psychological and social issues on human’s behavior
influencing usability:
People around the globe have different diverse from each other. Peoples are different
from each other through their psychological and social aspects. In the context of
psychology, different peoples have different brain abilities. Some people are good at it
while some other very worst at it. Skype is designed for all kind of peoples. Some
people are good at memorizing whereas some cannot memorize properly. That is why
skype has very simple interface which helps people with knowledge of technology and
people without knowledge to use this system conveniently. Whenever the system
throws any error it also provides solution to the error. Skype also focuses on different
ethnic and social groups. There is no discrimination on using this application. All kinds
of ethnic and social groups people can use this application.

Conceptual Models
Affordances:
Different affordances are available in skype application. Each button available in skype
takes user to certain window. Like when user click calls button, calls window will come.
Suppose when user wants to create new contacts or search the existing contacts then a
pop-up window opens of keyboard. When user goes into the user profile or notification
window then user wants to comeback to home window there is a ← icon, simply means
to go back. Similarly, when user goes into setting, 8 buttons are available, so to go into
each window of the button > icon is available.
Constraints:
Skype contains different constraints. Suppose user is at call (video or audio), if user
wants to disconnect the call or maybe user unknowingly click end call button then a
pop-up message appears saying leave the call for confirmation. Similarly, for sign out
button if user knowingly or unknowingly try to sign out then a pop-up message will
appear saying remember account and application setting on this device for confirmation
Also, when user tries to delete contact a pop-up message will appears.
Convention:
Different conventions are available in skype. In home window, when user click buttons
like chats, calls, search or contacts, the background color of button changes from black
to blue. Similarly, when user goes for calls the call window color changes from white to
black.

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User Interface:

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Usability design principle: 
Visibility of system status:
Skype provide appropriate feedback to the user where particular button is clicked.
Basically, there are many buttons available in this application such as chats, call,
contacts, user profile etc. So, whenever any button is clicked the buttons, background
color changes from black to blue. Also, while application is signing in a loading circle
appears to indicate that it is in the process of doing. 

Match between system and the real world:                                      

In Skype, all buttons that can be used are fully described. Many buttons available in this
application such as chats, calls, contacts, user profile etc. Below chat button chat is
written, below call button calls is written, below contact button contacts is written. In this
application information about all icons are presented in correct order. 

Emergency Exits:
User has full control in this application. User can immediately exit or undo from any
window of the application. Suppose user is in calls window so if users want to exit then
user can and also user can go other window like contacts, notifications. Similarly, user
is searching contacts but if user want to come another window and user can just press
← icon. 

Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors:

A pop-up window is always displayed in skype to show errors.  For showing error it uses
simple plain text into complex codes. Suppose while signing in if user try to login with
wrong password then it throws error and show the option of forget password for
resetting the password.
 
 Minimalist design:
Skype contains basic tools such as contacts, conversation, call, view, contacts etc.
which allows users for simple access. Contacts which are saved are easily displayed on
find contact details. It has dial function like of mobile which helps user to call, hash,
save and SMS contact features.
 
Error Prevention:
Skype is a good application that’s why it rarely crashes. Only few possibilities in which
skype crashes like due to poor connection during the calls. It automatically reconnects
after being disconnect from the call without any anything being done by the user. After
reconnecting if connection cannot be re-established then it shoes message explaining
the issue it is facing in very simple language. Also, after every call skype take feedback
about quality of the call to help further development of the program. 
 
 

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                   Hierarchical Task Analysis for Skype 

 
 
 
 
 

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HTA Description: 

1.Firstly, user should open the application.

1.1 Then login the application.
2. User can select the buttons to open different windows. So, you can open chats
window.
2.1 In chats window, multiple options are available
2.1.1 User can do group chat or single chat.
2.1.1.1 For chatting, user must select contacts.
2.1.1.2 While chatting, user can share photos, videos or files.
3.User can click calls button for calling another user.
3.1 For calling, user must select contact or user can use dial up.
3.1.1 After selecting contacts, user can do video calls or audio calls.
3.1.2 In calls user can share screen with others.
4.For user info, user can go user profile window. In user profile, user can have
multiple options.
4.1 For changing appearance, managing different settings like general, calling,
messaging, account profile or help and feedback, user can go to the setting window.
4.2 User can go to user profile window, for adding photos, sharing profile, editing email,
editing name, adding name.
4.3 For calling with no internet connection, user can choose skype to phone window.
Before calling user must have credits.
4.4 For logging out from the application, user can go for sign out option.

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 Usability Testing:
The usability testing for the skype was conducted to improve the quality of the
application by asking the real-time users to use the application. Five participants were
asked to use skype for chatting, calling etc.
Questioned Asked:
1. Did the application fulfill your needs?
2. What do you like the most about the application?
3. Is using the application difficult?
4. Are you satisfied with the application?
5. What benefits did you get using this application?
Participant Profiles:
 
PARTICIPANT NAME AGE GENDER EDUCATION

Participant 1 Sanjog Ghimire 32 MALE GRADUATE

Participant 2 Manisha Chalise 37 FEMALE UNEDUCATED

Participant 3 Prasant Thapa 25 MALE GRADUATE

Magar

Participant 4 Kapil Karki 20 MALE HIGH SCHOOL

Participant 5 Rupak Acharya 27 MALE GRADUATE

Result:
Users who were participated in usability testing of the skype were of the different age
groups, gender and education. They had different opinions, review, suggestions
according to their experience using the skype. Almost everyone liked the skype and
said that it is easy to use this application.

PARTICIPANTS EFFECTIVENESS EFFICIENCY LEARNABILITY SATISFACTION EXPECTED ACTUAL TEST

NAME
RESULT RESULT

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Sanjog I have to arrange This app has It was easy for me to I liked this app He wanted He found this Pass
Ghimire the online meeting email notification use this app as I am very much as it good this app very
for many staffs so feature when we familiar with it. was easy for me communicati useful and
it is easy for me to missed any to conduct ng app with has no
use it while I am at message which meeting. many complaints.
home. is good. features.
Manisha I am uneducated But tutorial for For few days, I had to After learning how The tutorial She had a Pass
Chalise so this application this app help me struggle to learn how to use this app was quite language
was very hard to a lot. to use it app as I properly, I was helpful. problem but
use. don’t know English easily able to still wants to
but after using communicate with use this app.
translator it was easy my son who is in
for me using this app. another province.
Prasant I use this app as a Its easily to Because of its simple File sharing He wanted He really Pass
Thapa social media and communicate design and interface, feature of this app app which liked the user
Magar for business. with people it is easy to use this is amazing as it has calling interface and
using this app. helped me in the features and simple
application. business to send well as design of the
files to customer. sharing files app and was
features. fully satisfied
with the
application.
Kapil I use this app for There are a lot of As I am a student so Screen sharing, It was As of Pass
Karki communicating features like it easily for me using instant chats with expected that student, he
with my friends chatting, calling, this app. friends help me in this was really
and families in own sharing screen my studies. application satisfied with
country or foreign etc which help would the app.
countries. me a lot. contains
many
features.
Rupak I use this app for It has features For teaching I used I can share He wanted He liked the Pass
Acharya communicating for like allowing others apps also so it recordings with an app that apps
teaching students. recording, is not so hard for me students and never different
screen sharing to use this app. share screen crashes and features.
which really help while teaching. many people
me to teach be in one
students. meeting.

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Conclusion:
In short, skype is good and reliable communication tool which allows user to
communicate with other users. Skype allows call up to 50 people at once so it is best for
schools and colleges for online class. Also, user can share files, photos, videos, screen
etc. Similarly, it provides recording feature which allows user to listen calls repeatedly.
Overall, skype is amazing calling tool which crashes rarely and has changed the way of
the communication
.
Reference:

10 Heuristics for User Interface Design: Article By Jakob Nielsen (2020) available from
<https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ten-usability-heuristics/> [11 July 2020

Skype (2020) available from <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skype> [11 July 2020]]

Skype | Communication Tool for Free Calls and Chat (2020) available from <https://www.skype.com/en/>
[11 July 2020]

Usability Testing 101 (2020) available from <https://www.nngroup.com/articles/usability-testing-101/> [11

July 2020]

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