Evaluating Open Source Software Usability Using a Multistage Fuzzy Model Approach

Abstract

In recent years, development of Open Source Software has obtained significant importance in the production of software products. Although, developers of Open Source Software have developed software with functional competitiveness as compared to closed proprietary software; computer users still prefer closed proprietary software than open source due its usability strength. On the other hand, once the usability of OSS is evaluated, it would be easier to develop and implement an acceptable and qualitative product, since the software usability is considered to be one of the most important quality factors. Thus, this work proposed a multistage fuzzy model approach for evaluating the Open Source Software usability, which includes nine usability characteristics to be taken into account when designing and implementing OSS software. The model takes a project, developed in MATLAB and quantifies its usability. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique was employed to verify the proposed model approach and to rank its usability characteristics. These characteristics are sequenced according to its importance as follows; learnability, understandability, efficiency, error prevention, memorability, operability, familiarity, attractiveness, and usability-compliance.