Designing the Obvious: A Commonsense Approach to Web Application Design |
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Author:
Robert Hoekman
By New Riders
Average Customer Rating: 
List Price: £28.99
Our Price: £16.79
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 006.7
EAN: 9780321453457
ISBN: 032145345X
Label: New Riders
Manufacturer: New Riders
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 264
Publication Date: 2006-10-26
Publisher: New Riders
Studio: New Riders |
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Should be compulsory reading for any web application designer..., 2007-02-16
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 and methodology of software implementation, this book concentrates on the user interface, engagement and interaction handling.
This book is aimed largely at people involved in web-based software design and 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, and techniques that can be employed to understand user needs versus wants. Building on this, the book moves onto user interaction devices, error handling, clarity and simplicity of application design.
I particularly like the user empowerment to move users from beginners to intermediates as fast as possible and as far as possible, to make the interaction a pleasurable productivity enhancing experience and not a frustrating, fumbling process that infuriates.
The style of writing is uncomplicated and redundant of jargon. Don't get me wrong, there is clear understanding of models and nod towards usabilty theory such as Goal-oriented design and activity-centered design, but with a littering of real-world examples he keeps the reader interested and the subject material fresh.
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If you design software you must read this book, 2007-06-22
There's very little in this short book that I don't agree with. This should be required reading for all those responsible for designing and producing computer based software, web or not. Strip out the jargon and the bloat, get past the 100+ page documentation process that so often dominates in this industry and get down to focussing on exactly what your user base is out to achieve when they fire up your application. Make it easy, quick and if remotely possible enjoyable.
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