Douglas’ blog post yesterday contained lots of interesting points about how computers communicate with users. It’s true that applications ought to speak in human language, not computer-speak; as Donald has also pointed out, it’s crazy to ask a user to “Attach Resource” when what she really wants to do is put an image on a Web page. In all our work, especially our work on LiveWhale, we try really hard to keep a focus on making things transparent (even fun) for our users, and we talk (and email and IM and videochat) constantly about the best ways to achieve that goal.
But that’s not what I’m here to write about today.
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Tags: don't make me think, usability, whitewhale
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At this point, we’ve all been barraged by Krug’s “don’t make me think” mantra a nearly infinite amount of times. I remember the first time I heard this phrase: sitting in Web 1 class, learning how to code html the “right” way. Our instructor was raging on about standard web design conventions, how one should be careful not to stray too far outside of the box, but rather tiptoe around its perimeter so as to not confuse the average internet user. “Don’t make me think,” he said. Now, don’t get me wrong, I completely agree with the fact that the user interface and information architecture shouldn’t get in the way of what you are trying to do on any given web site, but sorry, I rather like thinking. Read more »
Tags: don't make me think, usability, whitewhale
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