WebWord

“Some people may think that this is all too detailed, but my experience suggests that small detailed changes can make a real difference to the user experience and that can make a real difference to the loyalty of the users.” (Author: Peter Abrahams)
“So what details make this easier for me?”

“Van Greunen, a technology lecturer at Nelson Mandela University, tells her students that if their parents cannot use the software they are developing, it is a failure.”
Lesley Stones, Business Day, 18 August 2006
Related: World Usability Day

Do you fall prey to these?

ATM Machine
PIN Number
PC Computer 

Wrong: I’m going to the ATM machine.
Right: I’m going to the ATM.
Why? ATM = Automated Teller Machine.
 
Wrong: I need to enter my PIN number.
Right: I need to enter my PIN.
Why? PIN = Personal Identification Number.
 
Wrong: I bought a PC computer.
Right: I bought a PC.
Why? PC = Personal […]

Boxes and Arrows — “Unique low-frequency compositions in icon designs make a noticeable difference.”
Nice article, but perhaps too technical for some readers?

“UPA China warmly invites you to User Friendly 2006 for 3 days, bringing together usability practitioners, designers and technologists from across China and internationally. Come to Hangzhou to continue the tradition of sharing, friendship and learning as experienced in Beijing (2004) and Shanghai (2005)”
Hat tip: Daniel Szuc.

“The majority of all corporate stakeholders enter the corporate website through the front door; your homepage. What do they expect? And how can you effectively guide them to the information they are looking for?”
9 tips to improve the effectiveness of your homepage
p.s. Why is the header text of the article a graphic?  It’s just simple […]

I’m not looking for a new vehicle but the 2007 Jeep Compass caught my eye when I saw it on TV. I’ve seen ads for this vehicle several times now. So today I decided that I’d stop by a Jeep dealer to take a closer look. To my surprise, I did not see it. Sold out perhaps? […]

“Why could they not instead have provided information about their strong ties to major industry players, or their experienced professors or awards/success stories of previous studients? Oh, thats right, because gamers are dr00ling idiots who only communicate in alpha-numeric tongues and readily eat up whatever buzzwords are tossed their way.”
The rant above is about an […]

On Slashdot there’s a post about holographic storage which is obviously something geeks find interesting. While some folks talked about how this is awesome and radical, I was surprised to see that many others spoke about the benefits.
Rather than spending tons of time talking about How holographic storage works, some of these Slashdotters actually spent time talking […]

The response from Jeffrey Rosenthal of the University of Toronto, quoted in the August issue of Entrepreneur, is the following:
“Let’s say that, on average, each USA Today front page mentions one new company, not counting Microsoft, etc. In the next year, about 365 new companies will appear on the front page, out of about 7 […]

“Whether you’re just getting started using web analytics, or you’re an experienced SEO professional looking to expand your knowledge, you’ll come away with new ideas and a fresh perspective. All you need is your computer, a good internet connection, and you’re all set. Coffee is optional.”
Always free, according to the web site. 
What seminar is next? Well, […]