Spolsky book: summary
- A user interface is well designed when the program behaves exactly how the user thought it would. More control, less helplessness
- The user interface model should match the user model
- Don’t ask user to make too many decisions (Options dialog)
- Use smart metaphors (tabs, zoom etc)
- Do not violate the laws of reality
- Be consistent with the rest of the world (Alt + X vs. F10 etc)
- Let user do what they want in any sequence they want (don’t force them enter A, then B - they should be able to do B -> A)
- Design for extreme conditions (can’t read, no mouse, can’t remember own name)
- Users don’t read - don’t write large texts
- People can’t use mouse - don’t force them click a 1x1 px region
- People can’t remember - don’t make them remember commands, give clues insted
