Something for the women at SXSW
March 14th, 2006
I’m at the Ektron presentation on the Day Stage, 11.40am, Tuesday. I laughed out loud when the presenter defined three usability tests:
1. the Turing test
2. the Mother test
3. the Common Sense test.
But he didn’t bother to explain what the Mother test is. Could I pass it? Can somebody help me out? I’m a mother, a writer, a professor, and have been working in technology for almost 15 years. Would I be able to pass The Mother test? I’m worried! Am I an inadequate user? How can I improve? Help me!
Sue
If your mother could use the site or application then it’s passed the mother test.
But why does it have to be a mother? What are the user qualities of a mother?
fine, then use the grandmother test, but it’s even harder to pass.
Gosh I don’t know what the “mother test” is either! I just can’t figure it out!
My mom’s a computer programmer. I wonder if she’d be able to pass the test. Hmm.
Or maybe it’s just a sexist construction and the authors now regret the term?
Sexist construction is in the eye of the beholder.
A “mother” in this particular conception would seem to imply anyone’s mother. My mom, for instance, hates computers. She is 62 and not really enthused about them to say the least. If you created an app that she could use you have done very well to say the least.
The “mom test” is about everybody’s mom-all those perceptions. From computer programming mom’s to mom’s that dislike computers.
Sexist construction is your subjective perception of what is.
I did not get that “feel” from his tone at all. Am I wrong or are you?