#28654
Community with articles and discussions about user experience design with a focus on We-based user interface design.
UIzine (2007). Resources>User Interface>User Experience>Blogs
#18966
为了解决大家在软件开发中遇到的实际问题，UMLO组织了软件过程案例调查活动，希望大家积极参与。整理自己软件开发过程中遇到的问题，可以以调查问卷的形式以E_Mail发给我们，或者直接在技术论坛/软件过程案例调查与搜集栏目发布。 我们会把大家的问题及时发布，发起专题讨论，大家通过专题讨论深入思考，共同寻找解决方案，进而推动软件工程的应用。
UML.net.cn (2003). (Chinese) Resources>Directories>User Interface>UML
#14630
Chu defines Unified Modeling Language (UML) as a standardized system of diagrams, notations, and semantics for object-oriented design and modeling. He offers a basic introduction to UML, provides a conceptual model, and describes UML's building blocks and common mechanisms. The article includes a brief history of UML.
Chu, Steve W. Intercom (2000). Design>User Interface>XML>UML
#23273
GUI fragmentation is the greatest competitive weakness of UNIX. There is no standard Unix File Manager or Text Editor or Help -- that's shocking, in this age! Every Windows or Mac machine has a standard file manager and text editor and help system. The casual end user can accomplish elementary end-user tasks without encountering anything different from machine to machine.
Hoffman, Michael. Hypertext Navigation. Design>User Interface>Operating Systems>UNIX
#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
#19936
This website provides information and resources for key issues related to usability in website and software design. We believe that helping people do their work in an effective and enjoyable way should be the top priority in design because if a product is not usable, people will not use it.
Diamond Bullet Design (1996). Resources>User Interface>Usability>Web Design
#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
#28219
As an information designer the interfaces we currently work on - no matter whether Apple or Windows, bother me. Yes, OS X looks a lot better than its predecessors, and Windows' upcoming rip off of OS X looks better than the previous rip off. But however pretty, glossy and lickable those Interfaces may look, no matter how many twist and turn effects they build in - the problem they have is not one of special effects. If a good interface were a matter of special effects, George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic might do a very good job.
Information Architects Japan (2006). Design>User Interface>Usability
#13614
User Empowerment and the Fun Factor
Designs that engage and empower users increase their enjoyment and encourage them to explore websites in-depth. Once we achieve ease of use, we'll need additional usability methods to further strengthen joy of use.
Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (2002). Design>User Interface>Usability
#24967
A hypertext encyclopedia entry about user interface design, with links to many related topics.
#26948
While product engineers focus on the technology, usability specialists focus on the user interface. For greatest efficiency and cost effectiveness, this working relationship should be maintained from the start of a project to its rollout.
#18511
A presentation about usable user interface design.
Sung Kyun Kwan University. (Korean) Presentations>Slideshows>User Interface
#14190
User Interface Design Bibliography
Chauncey Wilson of BMC Software, Inc. has compiled this excellent list of resources. We are grateful to him for allowing us to post it here. To contact Chauncey directly, send e-mail to chaunsee@aol.com. This bibliography was last updated in December 1998.
Wilson, Chauncey E. User Interface Engineering (1998). Resources>Bibliographies>User Interface
#29496
User Interface Design Newsletter
Monthly articles on the latest usability research and its practical implications for user interface design.
Human Factors International (2007). Journals>User Interface>User Experience>User Centered Design
#30345
User Interface Design: An International Approach
A well-thought-out design and well-written content reduces the time required for good international products and saves money. As a bonus, most internationalization issues apply across all languages and usually help improve the quality of the American-language product as well.
Swain, Cindy. Boston Broadside (1997). Design>User Interface>Translation>Localization
#26159
User Interface Design: Some Guiding Principles
User interfaces vary significantly from library to library, and even within a library, from library holdings to CD-ROM databases to web resources. Why such variation?
Tennant, Roy. Library Journal (1999). Design>User Interface>Information Design
#19747
The User Interface Domain seeks to improve all user/computer communications on the Web. In particular, the Domain is working on formats and languages that will present information to users with more accuracy and a higher level of control.
W3C (2001). Design>User Interface
#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
#18684
User Interface That Kills: Swords, Craft, and User Interfaces
The greatest challenge in web or software design is creating a work of deep craft. That is, the presence of the designers and programmers coming through to make the user feel as though you were really trying to make them happy. For many products, I can point to specific parts that in isolation made me feel that way, but it's rarely carried through consistently. Web sites always have rough edges: search results pages that are ugly and hard to read, error pages that are incomprehensible, JavaScript pop-up menus that appear and disappear awkwardly, with visible repainting and redrawing, home pages to well-known Web sites that are garish, cluttered, and cold.
Berkun, Scott. UIWeb (2000). Design>User Interface>Web Design
#22830
User Modeling for Adaptive and Adaptable Software Systems
Universal Usability requires that user interfaces accommodate users with a wide variety of expertise and knowledge. Moreover, individual users' needs and preferences change as they use a software system. Systems that guide the user through an evolutionary learning process or adapt the user interface to the user provide a solution to this challenge. This paper introduces the techniques, highlights several examples of systems that implement them and provides guidelines for practitioners who wish to develop adaptive and adaptable interfaces.
Kules, Bill. University of Maryland (2000). Design>User Interface>Accessibility>Universal Usability
#21489
A User-Centered Drowsy-Driver Detection and Warning System 
This work is a culmination of years of research to develop an effective in-vehicle countermeasure to drowsy driving. Previous work resulted in an independently validated measure of drowsiness that was then incorporated into a drowsy-driver prototype monitor. The goal of this project was to develop an associated drowsy-driver interface that enabled effective, user-centered interactions with the underlying system. A multidisciplinary team designed a new drowsy-driver interface and introduced smart user interactions through a careful participatory design process that included both design experts and commercial motor vehicle drivers. It is hoped that this effort and subsequent field trials will result in a reliable, smart system that convinces drivers that they are driving in an unsafe condition and to make a wise choice--stop and rest.
Ayoob, Ellen M., Richard Grace and Aaron Steinfeld. AIGA (2003). Design>User Interface>User Centered Design
