Get an introduction to software usability with these articles and check out the usability sites listed for much more.
Software Usability Articles
Some of my favorite articles on usability
- First Principles of Interaction Design
- By Bruce "Tog" Tognazzini
- UI Design for Programmers
- Joel Spolsky's classic.
- User Interface Hall of Shame
- Learn by counter-example.
- Top Ten Guidelines for Homepage Usability
- By Jakob Neilsen
- Design for the Disengaged User
- A review of the usability of the NeverLost GPS system.
- Accessible Web Page Design
- Tons of information and references on designing for accessibility
- Usability Testing with Morae
- Joel Spolsky review: "TechSmith in Okemos, Michigan recently released a software product called Morae which lets you use cheap webcams to set up a complete usability lab in your office without fancy equipment or one-way glass."
Sites about Usability
These sites are great to explore for usability articles.
- Ask Tog
- The classic from Bruce Tognazzini.
- AlertBox
- Jakob Neilsen's usability site
- Don Norman
- Writer of Emotional Design and The Design of Everyday Things
- Steve Krug
- Writer of Don't make me think
Software Usability
User Interface Design for Programmers
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 10/13/2008)
Tog on Interface
Amazon Price: $26.95 (as of 10/13/2008)
Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Appr to Web Usability, 2nd Edition
Amazon Price: $26.40 (as of 10/13/2008)
The Design of Everyday Things
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 10/13/2008)
Homepage Usability: 50 Websites Deconstructed (VOICES)
Amazon Price: $31.50 (as of 10/13/2008)
Handbook of Usability Testing: How to Plan, Design, and Conduct Effective Tests
Amazon Price: $44.28 (as of 10/13/2008)
GUI Bloopers: Don'ts and Do's for Software Developers and Web Designers (Interactive Technologies)
Amazon Price: (as of 10/13/2008)
