Customer Reviews
If you design software you must read this book - By: J. Robinson, 22 Jun 2007 
There's very little in this short book that I don't agree with. This should be required reading for alll those responsible for designing & producing computer based software, web or not. Strip out the jargon & the bloat, get past the 100+ page documentation process that so often dominates in this industry & get down to focussing on exactly what your user base is out to achieve when they fire up your application. Make it easy, quick & if remotely possible enjoyable.
Should be compulsory reading for any web application designer... - By: projectjay, 16 Feb 2007 It was Albert Einstein who said that "Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen". But, despite the title there is nothing common sense about this book. What it does do is turn web application design on its head. Rather than delve into systems design theory & methodology of software implementation, this book concentrates on the user interface, engagement & interaction handling.
This book is aimed largely at people involved in web-based software design & development, yet it should be compulsory reading for any one involved in creating software for anyone else other than themselves. From designers, information architects, programmers to project-managers.
Beginning with the end, that is the end user, & techniques that can be employed to understand user needs versus wants. Building on this, the book moves onto user interaction devices, error handling, clarity & simplicity of application design.
I particularly like the user empowerment to move users from beginners to intermediates as fast as possible & as far as possible, to make the interaction a pleasurable productivity enhancing experience & not a frustrating, fumbling process that infuriates.
The style of writing is uncomplicated & redundant of jargon. Don't get me wrong, there is clear understanding of models & nod towards usabilty theory such as Goal-oriented design & activity-centered design, but with a littering of real-world examples he keeps the reader interested & the subject material fresh.
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