Usability or bust.

Hi all,

In a recent ELATED Extra (our newsletter), I talked about the web usability guru Jakob Neilsen. Essentially I argued that his purist approach could do with a little softening to make it acceptable from a commercial perspective. You can see his site here:

http://www.useit.com/

What do you guys think? Is he always right? Is he a madman? Let's hear it!

Simon
ELATED : )

[Edited by simon on 20-Nov-07 09:42]

--
ELATED : )
http://www.PageKits.com
Professional Website Templates

A very pleasing read in the newsletter. I really can't stand Nielsen. Of course usability and accessibility is important, and the majority of web designers and developers work towards this. However, Nielsen now seems to be banging on about it for the sake of not changing his tune. His website is awful - one of the most unpleasant and 'un-usable' websites on the 'net.

Usability isn't just about the forms working for all browsers. Yes, we need to make sure 'sites works for text-only browsers and screen-readers, but we need to make sure that websites are usable for users with graphic-browsers and javascript enabled and flash installed etc. Usability involves graphics, and good use of colour.

Having said that, we always need to have someone on the extreme because that brings most people towards the central ground.

Absolutely agree with the "someone on the fringe" comment, and as you say, as a result, web designers/developers have been heading for the centre ground on this faster than David Cameron NHS policies!

Simon
ELATED : )

--
ELATED : )
http://www.PageKits.com
Professional Website Templates

Loved the newsletter piece too. I care a lot about accessibility (I can't go near a mouse these days without pain in my wrist) and usability, and enjoy reading Neilson although I don't agree with everything he says.

I do strongly believe though that graphic design can really help to make a site usable too. A really good web designer will understand the principles of usability and ensure that the presentation of the site makes it easy for the user.

--
http://web.soothed.com.au/
Web design for natural therapists

Cheers Cat. I think that's true.

Simon
ELATED : )

--
ELATED : )
http://www.PageKits.com
Professional Website Templates