The usability of open source software: analysis and prospects
Citation
Export citationNichols, D. M. & Twidale, M.(2006). The usability of open source software: analysis and prospects. In Ravi Kumar Jain B (Eds), Open Source Software in Business: Issues and Perspectives.(pp. 167-188). Hyderabad, India: The ICFAI University Press.
Permanent Research Commons link: https://hdl.handle.net/10289/2052
Abstract
Open source communities have successfully developed many pieces of software although most computer users only use proprietary applications. The usability of open source software is often regarded as one reason for this limited distribution. In this paper we review the existing evidence of the usability of open source software and discuss how the characteristics of open-source development influence usability. We describe how existing human-computer interaction techniques can be used to leverage distributed networked communities, of developers and users, to address issues of usability.
Date
2006Type
Publisher
The ICFAI University Press
Rights
This is an author’s version of an article published in the book: Open Source Software in Business: Issues and Perspectives. Used with Permission.