#21426
You've all heard of TiVo. Sure you have. TiVo is the hard-disk video recorder that automatically records all of your favorite shows. Then there's ReplayTV, the other leading brand. Late fall 2001, ReplayTV crossed over a line that should never have been crossed, one that threatened the future of consumer products.
Tognazzini, Bruce. Nielsen Norman Group (2002). Articles>User Interface>Ethics>Assessment
#22756
Los salpicaderos digitales (digital dashboards) mejor conocidos como cuadros de mando digitales son una herramienta de visualización en tiempo real de los indicadores críticos de negocio que ayudan a la toma de decisiones empresariales. Su uso se extiende y avanza desde la élite ejecutiva hacia la ubicuidad.
Dursteler, Juan Carlos. InfoVis (2004). (Spanish) Articles>User Interface>Management
#20858
Traditionally, human-factors specialists have had a rather severe attitude toward human performance with computers: their goal was maximum throughput, often measured in transactions per minute. This attitude was justified when computers were mainly work-related; in some cases it still proves wise. For example, a usability improvement that shaves one second off the time it takes a directory-assistance operator to search a database for a telephone number saves several million dollars per year in the U.S. alone. This performance-obsessed approach to usability led many early user interface experts to condemn the popular term 'user friendly' with the argument that users didn't need "friendly" computers, they needed efficient designs that let them complete their tasks faster.
Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (1996). Articles>User Interface>Usability
#28668
Seeing the World in Symbols: Icons and the Evolving Language of Digital Wayfinding
Of all the objects that occupy our digital spaces, there are none that capture the imagination so much as icons. As symbols, icons can communicate powerfully, be delightful, add to the aesthetic value of software, engage people's curiosity and playfulness, and encourage experimentation. These symbols are key components of a graphic user interface--mediators between our thoughts and actions, our intentions and accomplishments.
Follett, Jonathan. UXmatters (2006). Articles>Usability>User Interface>Graphic Design
#28659
Successful Web applications tend to grow--both in terms of capability and complexity. And this increasing complexity is often passed on to and absorbed by a Web application's forms. In addition to needing more input fields, labels, and Help text, forms with a growing number of options may also require selection-dependent inputs.
Wroblewski, Luke. UXmatters (2007). Articles>Web Design>User Interface>Forms
#28936
Simplicity: The Distribution of Complexity
Achieving simplicity is not that simple when you are dealing with complex modern device design. Rob Tannen mused on lazy shortcuts, artificial constraints and Maeda's crusade on the complex.
Tannen, Rob. Boxes and Arrows (2007). Articles>User Interface>Theory>Minimalism
#22005
La interfaz entre humanos y computadoras adolece todavía de muchas deficiencias. Los sistemas multimodales, que utilizan elementos multibiométricos, interfaces multimodales y sistemas multisensoriales están empezando a paliar muchas de ellas.
Dursteler, Juan Carlos. InfoVis (2004). (Spanish) Articles>Human Computer Interaction>User Interface
#30805
Solid Ajax Applications, Part 2: Building Ajax Back Ends
Back end processing -- server-side scripts and programs -- can't always be tossed into an Ajax application and behave well. Instead, careful planning to ensure data is sent in an appropriate and efficient form ensures your entire application is cohesive, rather than needlessly complex. Brett McLaughlin explains how a good server-side script complements Ajax behavior.
McLaughlin, Brett D. IBM (2008). Articles>User Interface>Ajax
#25464
Speech-Enable Web Applications Using RDC with Voice Toolkit
Speech applications have come to be in demand with many applications, which can sound daunting to developers who have never before made provisions for speech. Don't put it off, though, believing that it means a massive rewriting of your current offerings. It is now possible to enhance current Web applications, or develop new ones, with the Voice Toolkit and Reusable Dialog Components. Learn to construct successful voice apps, and without a big learning curve.
Dhanakshirur, Girish. IBM (2005). Articles>Web Design>User Interface>Audio
#23753
Streamlining an Interface Using Information Design Principles 
'Information design' is the art and science of understanding problems from the product user's standpoint, and using that understanding to select an appropriate mix of graphics and text that supports the design and presents necessary information appropriately. This progression topic presents a simple, iterative way to examine a design problem, and uses that approach to solve a common design problem (using space more efficiently in a software interface).
Hart, Geoffrey J.S. STC Proceedings (2003). Articles>Information Design>User Interface
#23548
Taming The Sticky GUI: New Roles for Technical Communicators in Graphical User Interface Design
As technology is changing rapidly, new roles for technical communicators are evolving. Sometimes by design, sometimes by default, technical communicators are finding themselves working in a new area, that of Graphical User Interface (GUI) design. This paper will explore 5 different roles which are being done by people with technical communication skills, and will discuss ways to develop the needed new skills to make these roles effective and productive.
Dray, Susan. STC Proceedings (1994). Articles>TC>User Interface
#30586
Task Analysis and Associated User Interfaces for CD-ROM
With its enormous storage capacity, cost-effectiveness, and convenience, the CD-ROM is quickly becoming a significant research and business tool. To retrieve data from the CD-ROM, users access a search program that helps them select a subset of data from the entire database. Because the selection includes a series of complex tasks that most users are unfamiliar with, user interfaces must be task-oriented as well as intuitive and interactive. Even with a variety of interfaces, users wanted more paper documentation. When users have little experience or familiarity with the concepts and the tasks, written documentation is a better information source than computer-based information.
Feinberg, Susan G. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>User Interface>CD ROM
#27580
Task Based Documentation and Good User Interface Go Hand in Hand
As I write the 'how to' documentation based upon the in-process design, the weaknesses of my original design become apparent and I go back and forth from writing text to designing the software until it all flows.
Ferlazzo, Ellen Lawson. Sprezzatura Systems (2002). Articles>Documentation>User Interface>Usability
#29051
In visual querying, users analyze data for their decisions and problems by interacting with graphics that are dynamic and linked. This querying paradigm is new, a dramatic break from the more familiar retrieving of data via search statements and displaying of it in static charts and graphs. For this new visual querying paradigm, analysts conceptually and operationally need to master new approaches. To discover salient relationships, they need to manipulate displays. To drill down for detail or causes, they have to select data of interest directly from a graph. And to draw inferences, they have to consider meanings across several dynamically linked graphics. With the aim of studying users success in these new approaches, particularly focusing on the approach of directly selecting data from graphs, I conducted a scenario-based usability test with 10 data analysts. They interacted with visualizations to complete a realistic complex analysis evaluating employee performance. Test findings reveal a range of difficulties in visual selection that, at times, gave rise to inaccurate selections, invalid conclusions, and misguided decisions. To overcome these difficulties, support for visual selection needs to be built into interfaces and help. Results and recommended improvements are presented.
Mirel, Barbara E. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication (2001). Articles>User Interface>Usability>Visual Rhetoric
#23113
It's worth remembering the downsides to centralized computing. We must take steps to keep users in control as we grow the power of the network. It's essential that we keep a strong front end to balance out improved back-end features.
Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (2004). Articles>Usability>User Interface
#21872
This Is Broken: A Compilation of Bad Experiences
If you know a user experience that irritates you, don't just site there and grouse about it. Send it in to ThisIsBroken.com, a compilation of bad experiences: products, services, places, and Web designs that don't put the user first.
Hurst, Mark. Usability Professionals Association (2004). Articles>Usability>User Interface
#31916
Top-10 Application-Design Mistakes
Application usability is enhanced when users know how to operate the UI and it guides them through the workflow. Violating common guidelines prevents both.
Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (2008). Articles>User Interface>Human Computer Interaction>Usability
#21873
Trends Toward Greater Usability in Voting Technology
UPA's Voting and Usability project is tracking several important trends toward greater usability in voting technology across the globe: Verified voting, The NIST Voting Symposium, FEC Brochures, Voting Developments in the UK and in the Republic of Ireland.
Scott, Josephine. Usability Professionals Association (2004). Articles>Usability>User Interface>Civic
#31113
A blog post that discusses the XO laptop, and the risks that the designers and developers took when creating the user interface for the device - for the most part they succeeded in creating an intuitive interface and a usable computer.
DMN Communications (2008). Articles>Usability>User Interface>Linux
#29819
A Usability Evaluation of Web Map Zoom and Pan Functions 
Due to limitations on screen size and resolution, the usability of web maps relies heavily on their interface design. The main goal of this research is to find better interface designs for web maps and to facilitate their usage by the public. The research consists of two stages of investigation: (a) a survey on the operation interfaces of popular web maps; and (b) a usability evaluation of simulated interfaces by measuring task performance and conducting subjective evaluations.
You, Manlai, Chun-wen Chen, Hantsai Liu and Hsuan Lin. International Journal of Design (2007). Articles>Web Design>User Interface>Usability
#23872
Usability of My Digital Camera
The useful features of digital cameras are not enticing enough to trade for the simplicity of the non-digital design that meets the fundamental goals of the majority of users. As for me, I have learned my lesson with digital cameras. I will keep my user-friendly, old fashion, but reliable non-digital camera.
Dick, David J. Usability Interface (2003). Articles>User Interface>Photography>Usability
#21071
I recently purchased an 'old' Palm Vx of off eBay.com. Let me tell you, I couldn't be happier with it, except maybe if it had a color screen and the resolution were a little bit higher. It has a couple usability flaws from the original Palm V model, but nothing that dramatically decreases the user experience.
Rhodes, Matt. WebWord (2003). Articles>Usability>User Interface>PDA
#19044
Usable Interactive Voice Response Applications
An Interactive Voice Response (IVR) application is any telephone-based application which interactively takes input from callers and returns output in the form of a previously recorded human voice or other auditory information (Noonan). Cost and efficiency considerations means that IVR applications are fast becoming a common supplement, or indeed alternative, to direct contact with customer service representatives. The principles of User-Centred Design can be applied to make a more efficient and intuitive IVR applications. A solely auditory interface means that the user can hear only one thing at a time. The interface is sequential. With visual interfaces, like computer screens, it is possible to emphasise content through fonts or colour. The user can review any part of the screen at a glance. Therefore, the manner and order in which information is rendered on an IVR application is very important. The following are some guidelines for the design of an intuitive IVR application.
Gaine, Frank. Frontend Infocentre (2001). Articles>User Interface>Accessibility>Voice
#26188
User Interface Issues (part of Globalization and Localization Issues)
Loads of tips on how to design world ready user interface. It addresses issues that might occur in messages, menus and dialog boxes, icons and bitmaps, access and shortcut keys as well as user interface controls.
Microsoft (2004). Articles>User Interface>Localization
#27581
User Interface Should Be a Team Effort
Let's say you've got a clear set of requirements; the users have been defined, the features are associated with user tasks, marketing has done a competitive analysis and everything is good to go. Now what?
Ferlazzo, Ellen Lawson. Sprezzatura Systems (2002). Articles>User Interface>Collaboration
