As Dean Allen wrote just short of ten years ago.Users don't read,
users only scan,
users haven't got
no attention span.
Careful, keep repeating it to yourself and you might start to believe it.
Exceptionally clearI had only got halfway through this book when it was stolen, so essentially this is a review of the first half. However, it is the clearest explanation of factors that influence website user behaviour I've ever read and really helps make stunningly simple those fundamental principles in one's own head for when designing a website. It's so good I'm getting another copy even though I've already read half of it.
My only criticism is that it is now 5 years old, and although the fundmanental principles of human behaviour have not changed much in that time, the internet environment has changed significantly in some ways. But when my replacement copy arrives, even if the second half turns out to be rubbish (which I doubt), it is worth getting for the first half of the book alone, 5 years old or not. I think a useful phrase to be associated with this book is 'hits the nail on the head'. It's the kind of writing that makes you want to see what else the author has written in case you can justify getting it.
What a great bookReadable in a few hours, this well-written book gives the essentials of web usability. It's like having a friend say "We could make this complicated, but here's what you really need to know." Great ideas "We're thinking great literature.. user thinks billboard" make this thought-provoking read not only about web usability but also about branding and approaches to consultancy.
Web Design for IdiotsThis is a short 100 pages devoted to telling you to keep your pages easy to understand and not confusing in any way. There really isn't anything else in this book. The examples, book layout and copy are all old and dated like they were produced in the late '90s. There is nothing more than the most basic of common sense in here. Unless you think making a cluttered web page where the text links are not clear is a good idea, I wouldn't bother with this book.
Usability BibleAfter reading this book every website I view I review for usability in order to take away what's good and bad in order to help my own designing and building of websites. Although this book is aimed at anyone involved in building websites - from management to coders and designers - it is written clearly enough that anyone who has any experience of using a web site will be able to comprehend and take away a new understanding about web usability.
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