| Server IP : 167.235.224.122 / Your IP : 216.73.216.110 Web Server : Apache/2.4.58 (Ubuntu) System : Linux newplayground 6.8.0-136-generic #136-Ubuntu SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Wed Jul 1 21:33:11 UTC 2026 aarch64 User : deploy ( 1000) PHP Version : 8.4.23 Disable Function : NONE MySQL : OFF | cURL : ON | WGET : ON | Perl : ON | Python : OFF | Sudo : ON | Pkexec : OFF Directory : /var/www/html/openusability/ |
Upload File : |
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<link rel="icon" href="favicon.png" type="image/x-icon" />
<title>Open Usability</title>
<!-- Bootstrap -->
<link href="css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="custom.css">
<!-- HTML5 Shim and Respond.js IE8 support of HTML5 elements and media queries -->
<!-- WARNING: Respond.js doesn't work if you view the page via file:// -->
<!--[if lt IE 9]>
<script src="https://oss.maxcdn.com/libs/html5shiv/3.7.0/html5shiv.js"></script>
<script src="https://oss.maxcdn.com/libs/respond.js/1.4.2/respond.min.js"></script>
<![endif]-->
</head>
<body>
<div class="navbar navbar-inverse navbar-fixed-top" role="navigation">
<div class="container">
<div class="navbar-header">
<button type="button" class="navbar-toggle" data-toggle="collapse" data-target=".navbar-collapse">
<span class="sr-only">Toggle navigation</span>
<span class="icon-bar"></span>
<span class="icon-bar"></span>
<span class="icon-bar"></span>
</button>
<a class="navbar-brand" href="#"><img src="images/ou-logo_small.png" /> Open Usability</a>
</div>
<nav class="collapse navbar-collapse bs-navbar-collapse" role="navigation">
<ul class="nav navbar-nav">
<li><a href="#" onclick="$('html, body').animate({scrollTop: $('#manifesto').offset().top}, 1000);">Manifesto</a></li>
<li class="blueprint_mainnav"><a href="#" onclick="$('html, body').animate({scrollTop: $('#blueprint').offset().top - 81}, 1000);">Blueprint</a></li>
<li class="blueprint_subnav dropdown-header">Blueprint for…</li>
<li class="blueprint_subnav"><a href="#" onclick="$('html, body').animate({scrollTop: $('#projects').offset().top - 60}, 1000);">FOSS Projects</a></li>
<li class="blueprint_subnav"><a href="#" onclick="$('html, body').animate({scrollTop: $('#students').offset().top - 60}, 1000);">Students</a></li>
<li class="blueprint_subnav"><a href="#" onclick="$('html, body').animate({scrollTop: $('#experts').offset().top - 60}, 1000);">Experts</a></li>
<li><a href="#" onclick="$('html, body').animate({scrollTop: $('#contact').offset().top - 51}, 1000);">Questions?</a></li>
</ul>
</nav>
<script>$('.navbar .nav > li > a').click(function () {$('.navbar-collapse.navbar-ex1-collapse.in').removeClass('in').addClass('collapse').css('height', '0');});</script>
</div>
</div>
<!-- Main jumbotron for a primary marketing message or call to action -->
<div class="jumbotron" id="manifesto">
<div class="container">
<h1>Manifesto</h1>
<p>When we started Open Usability in 2005, experienced usability/UX/​interaction
<strong>experts</strong> were scarce.<br/>Today, this is no longer
the case.</p>
<p>Back in 2005, software <strong>projects</strong> that took usability & UX serious were
extremely scarce (regardless of whether they were FOSS or
closed/​proprietary).<br/>Today, this is also no longer the case.</p>
<p>And yet, <strong>we are disappointed</strong> with the percentage of software
that ships today with great usability & UX. Either experts and projects are
not collaborating enough, or their collaboration is ineffective.</p>
<p id="manifesto_scrollback">We want to change this depressing situation and
want you to <strong>join us</strong>, by taking these actions—</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Embrace</strong><br/>
Software projects of all countries, reach out and embrace
usability/UX/​interaction experts.
<small class="manifesto_hidden">True, these experts see, think, talk and act
really differently than you, but that is the point: they bring what’s
dearly missing from your project. Don’t treat them as interlopers.</small></li>
<li><strong>Define</strong> + <strong>Collaborate</strong><br/>
Projects and experts, start a collaboration only with a clear definition of how
significant, direct and immediate its impact will be on the next software
release.</li>
<li><strong>Change</strong><br/>
Projects, to make the collaboration
effective<span id="manifesto_elip">…</span><span id="manifesto_cut">,
your processes will have to change. Experts, guide this transition, using all
your experience.</span></li>
<div class="button_container">
<input type="button" id="manifesto_more" value="show all"
onclick="$('#manifesto_elip').hide(); $('#manifesto_cut').show();
$('.manifesto_hidden').show(1000); $(this).hide();">
</div>
<li class="manifesto_hidden"><strong>Focus</strong><br/>
The success of your collaboration is measured in results; all energy must be
focussed on shipping software with great usability & UX.</li>
<li class="manifesto_hidden"><strong>Trust</strong><br/>
Projects must be able to fully trust their experts in matters usability &
UX; experts must be able to trust they are an effective link in the
software‐making chain.<br/>
Trust is earned through action taken.</li>
<li class="manifesto_hidden"><strong>Make it last</strong><br/>
It takes a long and deep collaboration to deliver the wide‐ranging and
deep goal that is great usability & UX. Projects and experts, build a
relationship that lasts for years.</li>
</ol>
<p class="manifesto_hidden">Software projects, if you treat your
usability/UX/​interaction experts as if they’re your most valuable
resource, they will respond by becoming your most valuable resource.
<small>We salute you, Eric S. Raymond.</small></p>
<h2 class="manifesto_hidden">An open invitation</h2>
<p class="manifesto_hidden">Beyond this, we are convinced that in the long run,
Free/Open Source Software (<strong>FOSS</strong>) can achieve better
usability & UX than software made in a closed/​proprietary
fashion.</p>
<p class="manifesto_hidden">We call on all usability/UX/​interaction
experts to join us and further <strong>explore</strong> the open traits of FOSS;
to <strong>conceive</strong> new methods around them, to <strong>teach</strong>
research & design using FOSS project contexts and to <strong>make</strong>
optimal use of—</p>
<ul class="manifesto_hidden">
<li>the freedom to share and discuss innovation, ideas, concepts, designs and
mock‑ups—for public review and feedback—at any moment
you choose;</li>
<li>freely available daily/​bleeding‐edge and beta software
releases, which are used in earnest by real users, for testing purposes;</li>
<li>open, world‐wide and networked user communities, eager to provide
feedback and participate in research and co‑creation;</li>
<li>the freedom to share—in‑depth—your project involvement;
your processes, methods and achievements, including the highly strategic parts.</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="manifesto_hidden">All together now</h2>
<p>Projects and experts, if you are looking to have a positive impact on
today’s software world, then check out our blueprint to
<strong>get started, today</strong>.</p>
<div class="manifesto_hidden button_container">
<input type="button" value="show less"
onclick="$('html, body').animate({scrollTop: $('#manifesto_scrollback').offset().top}, 1000);
$('.manifesto_hidden').slideUp(1000, function() { $('#manifesto_more').show() });
$('#manifesto_elip').show(); $('#manifesto_cut').hide();">
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="container" id="blueprint">
<h2 class="h1">Blueprint</h2>
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-6">
<h3 id="projects">for FOSS <strong>projects</strong>
<small>our blueprint for collaboration with usability/UX/​interaction
experts</small></h3>
<ol>
<li>Take a project‐wide decision that you want to seriously work on your
usability & UX, and are willing to open up to realise this goal.</li>
<li>Make this decision public; announce it—on your homepage, blog or
social network page.
<small class="projects_hidden">This announcement is basically a collaboration
ad. In it, describe:</small></li>
<small><ul class="projects_hidden">
<li>your project, briefly (with further‐reading links);</li>
<li>why it is cool to work on it (leave out all the technical bits);</li>
<li>what you are looking for—research of your users and usability,
or interaction solutions designed for your situation;</li>
<li>most importantly: your solid commitment of how much you will change in
your project—and in code—for better usability & UX;</li>
<li>ah, and mention how experts can reach you.</li>
</ul></small>
<li>Spread the word/​permalink of your announcement; use your
online/​social networks—all of them.
<small class="projects_hidden">You are counting on the network effect (friends
of friends of…) to reach out beyond your usual community and find the people
who can really help you.</small></li>
<li>Select your expert. Look
for<span id="projects_elip">…</span><span id="projects_cut">
years of working experience, a structured, methodical approach and an
open mind.</span>
<small class="projects_hidden">No expert will tell you immediately what you
should change or add to your software. Instead (s)he will ask you some
questions and then be completely authoritative regarding the <em>process</em>
for <em>determining</em> what to change or add.<br/>
Remember: an expert with no (current) knowledge of your software will soon be
a thousand times more effective than one of your long‐term users with no
usability/UX/​interaction experience.</small></li>
<div class="button_container">
<input type="button" id="projects_more" value="show all"
onclick="$('#projects_elip').hide(); $('#projects_cut').show();
$('.projects_hidden').show(1000); $(this).hide();">
</div>
<li class="projects_hidden">Start collaborating. Your expert will structure
the research/​design work, selecting tools and methods, as well as guide
your process change.</li>
<li class="projects_hidden">The <strong>secret of success</strong>: follow up
wholeheartedly on the contributions of your expert. Just do it; convert them
to code and ship them.</li>
<li class="projects_hidden">Iterate. Your expert will also filter community
feedback, explain what it actually means and point out where the
next step is.</li>
<div class="projects_hidden button_container">
<input type="button" value="show less"
onclick="$('html, body').animate({scrollTop: $('#projects').offset().top}, 1000);
$('.projects_hidden').slideUp(1000, function() { $('#projects_more').show() });
$('#projects_elip').show(); $('#projects_cut').hide();">
</div>
</ol>
<h3 id="students">for <strong>students</strong>
<small>of usability/UX/​interaction, and young professionals—our
blueprint for gaining experience through FOSS projects</small></h3>
<ol>
<li>Decide what kind of projects you would really love to work on, and would
love to be able to show the world.</li>
<div class="button_container">
<input type="button" id="students_more" value="show all"
onclick="$('#students_elip').hide(); $('#students_cut').show();
$('.students_hidden').show(1000); $(this).hide();">
</div>
<li class="students_hidden">Choose to apply to these internships based on how
much the project appeals to you and how much you can learn.</li>
<li class="students_hidden">Enjoy the freedom to openly discuss your internship work with as many
people as possible.</li>
<div class="students_hidden button_container">
<input type="button" value="show less"
onclick="$('html, body').animate({scrollTop: $('#students').offset().top}, 1000);
$('.students_hidden').slideUp(1000, function() { $('#students_more').show() });
$('#students_elip').show(); $('#students_cut').hide();">
</div>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="col-md-6">
<h3 id="experts">for <strong>experts</strong>
<small>in usability/UX/​interaction—our blueprint
for collaboration with FOSS projects</small></h3>
<ol>
<li>Decide what kind of projects you would really love to work on, and would
love to be able to show the world.</li>
<li>Choose to contact one of these projects based on how much they appeal to
you and how well you can help them.</li>
<li>Check with the project for both openness and free‑riding.
<small class="experts_hidden">Do not bother checking the wild world of software
licences. <strong>Openness</strong> is all about <em>your</em> work. Is it
fully natural that you share your methods, plans, analysis, results, designs,
discussions, critique and discontent with the whole world, whenever you want
to? If not, then it is not open and we suggest you proceed with this project
but treat, and charge, them like a normal customer.</small>
<small class="experts_hidden">FOSS licences are strict on preventing
<strong>free‑riding</strong>, and so should you. There are basically
three types of FOSS projects:</small></li>
<small><ol class="experts_hidden">
<li>Real <strong>pro bono</strong>. Nobody in the project (and we mean really
<em>nobody</em>) gets any funding for working on it. We suggest you work pro
bono for them too. You will enjoy the open working and the occasional trip to
meet up with your collaborators.</li>
<li>Money <strong>flows</strong>. This can be direct, with contributors being
funded, or indirect: the project is associated with a commercial entity, that
generates money with a ‘pro’ version of the software; with
consulting; or with customisation. We ask you not to work pro bono for these
projects. Instead, we suggest you cut your rates by a substantial percentage
(in exchange for the openness) and work on that basis.</li>
<li><strong>Enterprise</strong>. There are quite a few ‘FOSS’
projects that are de facto controlled by an enterprise (e.g. intel,
samsung, google) or by large, commercial linux distributions (e.g. red
hat, canonical, suse). We ask you not to work pro bono for these projects.
Instead, we suggest you treat them like a normal enterprise customer and
charge your full rates.</li>
</ol></small>
<li>With the leadership of the project, discuss
and<span id="experts_elip">…</span><span id="experts_cut">
tighten up their goals (both for your collaboration <em>and</em> the project
in general) to the point where they are having an epiphany. <em>Then</em>
start collaborating.</span></li>
<div class="button_container">
<input type="button" id="experts_more" value="show all"
onclick="$('#experts_elip').hide(); $('#experts_cut').show();
$('.experts_hidden').show(1000); $(this).hide();">
</div>
<li class="experts_hidden">Take firm control of the means of delivery/​communication of your
contributions and of how the developers follow up on it.
<small>Never work via their bug tracker, or let your contributions get mangled
by group discussions. Do analyse the power structure of FOSS projects
(contribution = authority) and their open communication culture. Adapt your
methods to these.</small></li>
<li class="experts_hidden">The <strong>secret of success</strong>: constantly keep the leadership of the project
focussed on those goals you defined with them.
<small>Ensure that they understand the only way to get there, is via the road
you are showing them.</small></li>
<li class="experts_hidden">Iterate. Enjoy the early, and much more direct, contact with users—and
filter, translate and manage it for the project.</li>
<li class="experts_hidden">Need more manpower? May we suggest that you set up and mentor an internship programme?
<small>Get help and give students and young professionals the chance to gain
some valuable working experience, which they are able to show the world. To
spread the word about your internships you can tweet about it</small></li>
<li class="experts_hidden">Keep working together, for as long as it is fun and the project keeps
shipping significant usability & UX improvements—as defined and
measured, of course, by you.</li>
<div class="experts_hidden button_container">
<input type="button" value="show less"
onclick="$('html, body').animate({scrollTop: $('#experts').offset().top}, 1000);
$('.experts_hidden').slideUp(1000, function() { $('#experts_more').show() });
$('#experts_elip').show(); $('#experts_cut').hide();">
</div>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<hr>
<div class="container" id="contact">
<div class="row">
<div class="col-md-8">
<h2>Ask Open Usability</h2>
<p>If you like to contribute, have a question regarding our blueprint, or
simply like to know more about Open Usability, then do not hesitate to
<a href="mailto:contact@openusability.org">mail us</a>.</p>
</div>
</div>
<hr>
<footer>
<p><a rel="license" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons Licence" style="border-width:0" src="https://licensebuttons.net/l/by-sa/4.0/88x31.png" /></a><br/>This work by <span xmlns:cc="https://creativecommons.org/ns#" property="cc:attributionName">Open Usability</span> is licensed under a <a rel="license" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">Creative Commons BY‑SA 4.0 International License</a>.</p>
<p id="simprint"><a onclick="$('#imprint').show();$('#simprint').hide();" style="cursor:pointer">Imprint</a></p>
<div id="imprint" style="display:none;">
<h4>Imprint</h4>
<dl>
<dt>Disclaimer</dt>
<dd>OpenUsability is an imprint of jngl Skillsharing gGmbH. OpenUsability assumes no guarantee that the information on these
web pages is accurate, complete or up‑to‐date. To the extent which
OpenUsability links directly or indirectly to external web pages,
OpenUsability shall only assume liability for such content if it has
exact knowledge of the content and if it is technically possible and
reasonable to prevent its use.</dd><br>
<dt>Address</dt>
<dd>OpenUsability</dd>
<dd>c/o Jan Muehlig</dd>
<dd>Fraenkelufer 30</dd>
<dd>10999 Berlin</dd>
<dd>contact@openusability.org</dd>
<dd>+49 30 30138710</dd>
</dl>
<p><a onclick="$('#imprint').hide();$('#simprint').show();" style="cursor:pointer">Hide</a></p>
</div>
</footer>
</div>
<!-- jQuery (necessary for Bootstrap's JavaScript plugins) -->
<script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.11.0/jquery.min.js"></script>
<!-- Include all compiled plugins (below), or include individual files as needed -->
<script src="js/bootstrap.min.js"></script>
<script>$(document).on('click',function(){ $('.collapse').collapse('hide'); })</script>
</body>
</html>