Comments on: 9 usability mistakes even the big boys make.

By: Don’t Break Noses | Above and Beyond KM

Don’t Break Noses | Above and Beyond KM — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:13:13 +0000

[...] 9 Usability Mistakes Even the Big Boys Make [...]

By: links for 2009-10-24 | 2 Sentences or Less

links for 2009-10-24 | 2 Sentences or Less — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 05:01:32 +0000

[...] 9 usability mistakes even the big boys make. (tags: design development webdesign usability) [...]

By: yn0t

yn0t — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 16:47:31 +0000

I agree with most of your points. However, at the risk of sounding like a troll I must disagree with your point number eight. I prefer to see where the page is served off of. To me, a tittle such as “BBC – The Official Site of Doctor Who” would be better and easier to read. Plus, using this convention any other BBC shows I bookmark would be grouped together. Now, if Doctor Who had their own domain name, I would drop the BBC from the title.

By: Asa

Asa — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:50:21 +0000

Nice article, but don’t confuse usability with creativity. Following conventions can lead to usable sites, surely, but so can beauty, interesting and unique interaction, and emotionally driven experiences. Placing a button in the right place with the right colors can lead someone to click it; compelling someone with the desire to look further can also help them find and click.

Convention leads us to exactly where we are now – no further. With the pace of growth and change in technology and what is possible on the web, can we really afford to stick only to conventions?

By: anon

anon — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:31:20 +0000

Regarding your comment about conventions.
Always know the cultural background of the people that you are developing your applications for as things that are conventions in your cultural background might not hold when going into other cultural circles.

By: Paul Anthony

Paul Anthony — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:50:18 +0000

@Zecc – I know; People in glass houses and all that, but I’ve got a new design planned / coming for 2010- so watch this space.

Thanks for commenting,

regards,
Paul.

By: Zecc

Zecc — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:28:51 +0000

Oops, forgot to check “Notify me of followup comments via e-mail”. Sorry.

By: Zecc

Zecc — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:27:41 +0000

Something that bothers me personally: when comments don’t show the date they were posted.

Also, black text over a darkish grey background.

And also, please set the text colour in your comment textarea.
I agree that my default of bright text on a dark background is unusual, but if you’re going set the background, please set the foreground too.

Other than that, I liked the blog’s design. And the post.

By: Paul Anthony

Paul Anthony — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:59:01 +0000

Thanks for all the comments folks.

Anyone who recons this is a security issue – this is what I propose:

Form post In > Username persisted on the way back out on a failure. No cookies. The only way this is a security issue, is if the browser is left open.

@Zor – yes you might have a typo – but that’s not that big a deal in my opinion.

@j – Will do. Its my weakness.

By: j

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:40:37 +0000

proofread. seriously.