Human Factors When Compaq Computer Corporation develops its new Presario home PCs, it considers more than just speeds and feeds. With each new computer model the company creates, it incorporates suggestions and feedback from its customers - also giving it that human element. Whether they're kids or grandmas, business travelers or multimedia experts, Compaq's customers bring their perspective to the forefront in Compaq's Human Factors lab. In order to give test participants a true feel for the product, the lab features realistic testing environments that simulate where and how people use their computers. For example, business travelers may try out the latest notebook model in the lab's "airplane" with real airplane seats, or in the interior of a "car." Or mom, dad and the kids can access the Internet, play computer games or check e-mail in the "living room." Participants are instructed to rate the potential new products on their ease of use and the amount of value they might add to consumers' lives. Each person will "test drive" the PC in one of the environmental settings and rate it on physical design and internal structure - such as, how comfortable the keys are, how beneficial the software packages are, and how easy it is to navigate on the desktop. Family members will also rate the computer on its value-added features, answering questions such as: Is the Internet Access button a worthwhile feature that can save time and trouble? But design is not all Compaq's Human Factors lab tests. While participants are reviewing and evaluating the unit, the lab's psychologists and engineers are studying their body language and usage patterns, looking for non-verbal clues on how easy the system is to use. By putting Compaq's latest innovations in front of the toughest critics - real consumers - before they hit the shelves, we can make a great product even better by incorporating their feedback. Compaq even conducts in-home testing with consumers after they purchase their home PCs and incorporates their feedback into the next Presario models.