WebWord

“In the 16-minute interview with Ziff Davis Media executive editor Mike Elgan, Nielsen addresses the challenges of designing for usability, and discusses ways to maximize application usability for average users. He covers a wide range of topics, ranging from the proper attitude for programmers, to the importance of prototyping in design, to the reasons why PDF, Flash, and local search engines can hurt more than they help.” (Source: DevSource)

Not much new here, folks. At the same time, it is a good introduction if you don’t have much background. Even better if you don’t know much about usability and you are a developer.

Related to WebWord >> The Usability Exchange has been set up to provide practical testing by disabled people: Disabled people check out site usability

Less related to WebWord >> Steve Gillmor’s a really sharp guy but he’s not making sense here: The Attention Economy Land Grab

Even less related to WebWord >> The U.S. Government has just decided that each of its citizens owe the world $30,000: Senate OKs increased debt ceiling

I’m not really all that keen on airing dirty laundry, mainly because I’d rather spread good ideas and good news. The world is full of nasty words and deeds. I feel no need to jump into the fray. I’m going to violate this personal policy for a moment, in this post.

In the past, I read some blather about the war between Dave Winer and Adam Curry. I didn’t think much of it. People are people. They fight. I figured that these guys just couldn’t come to closure on the issues. Shortly thereafter it dropped off my radar.

Just recently my interest in Dave Winer was jacked up again. He’s no longer going to be blogging. That’s kind of big news since he’s been doing it even longer than I have. In any case, because of my interest, I found out that he’s engaged in another war, this time with Rogers Cadenhead.

I won’t pass any judgment on this fight. It isn’t mine and it is certainly too far away from the topic of WebWord (i.e., usability). However, I’m bringing it up here because the interaction really makes me think about how people position themselves online. In fact, Dave Winer says this: There’s a virtual Dave and a real one. That’s wacky but I think it fits many people. What does this mean in terms of reputation management? What does it mean in terms of future jobs, future friends, and future projects? How do the two people come together? It is really quite interesting to me.

From a rubber-necking-traffic-accident point of view, I do admit that I like to see the “arguments” that people use to justify their positions. The fallacies fly. Appeal to authority. Appeal to emotion. Ad hominem. Guilt by association. And so on.

This is important to recognize. It is possible that your reputation could come under attack. Recognize the weapons that other people use and be prepared to defend yourself. You can learn a lot about protecting yourself by watching these other train wrecks.

I realize that this little post is all over the place. But that’s what it is: a blog posting. Maybe you’ll get something out of it. There are a couple of little gems for you to mine.

Back to your (ab)normally scheduled usability blog…

“Presentation visuals must be free of errors; they must be accurate. But our visuals — like it or not — also touch our audience on an emotional level. People judge instantly whether or not something is attractive to them or not. This is a visceral reaction. And it matters.”

The obvious: Looks matter. I’m 100% in line with that. But, be careful not to become a slave to design.

Design by groups vs. design by individuals…

“Anybody can make a simple-looking interface if the system only does one thing. If you want to do one of the many other things Google is able to do, oops, first you have to figure out how to find it, then you have to figure out which of the many offerings to use, then you have to figure out how to use it. And because all those other things are not on the home page but, instead, are hidden away in various mysterious places, extra clicks and operations are required for even simple tasks – if you can remember how to get to them.” (Author: Don Norman, Source: uiGarden.net)

Don Norman is mad as hell. I’m not sure I agree, but I love the passion.

“Is Google simple? No. Google is deceptive.”

“The Web creates a direct link between the organization and the customer. The best organizations are learning about the huge benefits this direct link has. If they strip away unnecessary bureaucracy, confusing jargon, and time-wasting processes, they establish a major competitive advantage.” (Author: Gerry McGovern)

Where customers get that vital first impression…

“Reviled by workers, demonized by designers, disowned by its very creator, it still claims the largest share of office furniture sales–$3 billion or so a year–and has outlived every “office of the future” meant to replace it. It is the Fidel Castro of office furniture.” (Author: Julie Schlosser, Source: FORTUNE Magazine)

The cubicle was not born evil, or even square.

“Creating wireframes, PDDs, site maps, storyboards, process flows, and other tools for developing user interfaces is a lot like working in a vacuum. You’re ignoring many of the significant factors that influence your final product. These documents have their place. There’s no questioning that. However, it is important to understand when a design document might not cut it. HTML prototyping and full-on agile development of Web applications are increasingly viable options that help minimize communication gaps and assumptions and deliver more accurate results sooner. If you haven’t considered it, now may be the time.” (Source: Digital Web Magazine, Author: Garrett Dimon)

Is HTML Prototyping and Agile Development for you?

The process is outlined in a simple graphic. I bet it was more difficult than the graphic implies.

Related:

• Great Logos And Why (Design Newz)
• The process of redesigning a logo (Digital Web)
• 15 Trends Taking Shape In Logo Design
• How to Create a Logo (Entrepreneur)

#2 — “YouTube’s user interface is vastly better. It’s easy to use and more attractive while ironically retaining a Google-like simplicity. Google Video’s UI is so spartan as to be unattractive.” (Source: Church of the Customer Blog)

Read all 10 reasons why YouTube is better than Google Video

Tip: Grab the WebWord RSS feed

Directly from Steve Krug:

“My publisher, Peachpit, is sponsoring a contest to promote Don’t Make Me Think, and the prize is a free one-day usability review of the winner’s Web site (i.e., one day of my time–retail value: $3,000). All [you] have to do to enter is send Peachpit an email with [your] name and address by March 31st. How’s that for “no thought required”? The only shortcoming is it [is] limited to US residents.”

Win a one-day usability review by Steve Krug!

“Nobody wants to lug around a 10-pound laptop, but while computer makers scramble to roll out models that are ever smaller and lighter, nobody has stopped to ask just how small is too small.” (Source: Cox Texas Newspapers, Author: Betsy Schiffmane)