Evolution of Gmail chat

This is a very cool article. Nika Smith explains just how Gmail chat came to be. Here’s an excerpt.
“Often, the features we launch seem so simple that you might think they’re the result of blatantly obvious design decisions. In fact, every feature is subjected to a healthy dose of scrutiny within the Gmail team, and [...]

Nielsen’s latest Alertbox

Mr. Nielsen does a great job at keeping us honest in his latest Alertbox article for June 23, 2008.
Here’s a sample.
“We often observe users who hesitate before clicking or initially misinterpret information, but then correct themselves before they get into trouble. In such cases, it’s tempting for the design team to simply utter a collective [...]

Bad ideas just aint bad until someone sees them

A lot of bad ideas just aint bad until someone sees them. I can’t tell you how many times I have asked for input from people on important decisions only to be shocked by their response when they see the results.
Most of the time, when we run an idea by someone or seek their input [...]

Does Zebra Striping help?

Does Zebra Striping make a form easier to read? I’ve always thought it did help, but Jessica Enders has done some research which seems to prove otherwise.
While Jessica’s research concludes that Zebra Striping has no quantitative benefit, she also points out that users prefer it. And to me, if the users prefer it…do it.

Don’t listen to your users…watch them

I’ve posted in the past that users don’t always answer questions or choices truthfully. I’m not suggesting that they lie, but merely guessing incorrectly. Jakob Nielsen explains how this idea relates to usability studies in his article, First Rule of Usability? Don’t Listen to Users. Here’s an excerpt.
“Too frequently, I hear about companies basing their [...]

Watching them work

Jared Spool has written a couple interesting posts recently regarding usability tests. Please check them both out: Usability Tests with 30 Observers and More on Usability Tests with 30 Observers. In More on Usability Tests with 30 Observers Jared states, (in regards to performing usability observation tests),
“Having the observers in the same room as the [...]