Designing Highly Useable Software

Learn What Usability Really Is, Why to Strive for It, and How to AchieveIt "Highly useable" software is easy to use. It does whatyou expect it to. And it does it well. It's not easy to build butas this book demonstrates, it's well worth the effort. Highly useable software is highly successful software--and everyone wins. Inside, anaccomplished programmer who has made usability his business systematicallyexplores the world of programming, showing you how every aspect of the work isimplicated in the usability of the final product. This is not just an"issues" book, however, but systematic, real-world instructions fordeveloping applications that are better in every way. As you'll learn, there's nosuch thing as "intuitive" software. Instead, there are just thefactors that make it highly useable: simplicity, consistency, the recognition ofaccepted conventions, and the foregrounding of the user's perspective. With theseprinciples under your belt, you'll quickly discover dozens of ways to make yourapplications more useable: Making windows and dialogboxes easy to comprehend and use Designing software that is time- andresource-efficient Making your software easy to navigate Reducing thecomplexity of reports and other presentations of data Understanding how thewrong programming decisions can limit usability Ensuring smooth starts andstops Capitalizing on the usability advantages of object-orientedprogramming Understanding how usability affects your product'sfinancial success Using the testing process to improveusability Promoting usability in training, installation, and onlinehelp Making management decisions that will benefit softwareusability Some chapters are written primarily for programmers, oneprimarily for managers. Most are for everyone, and all are filled withilluminating, usually amusing examples drawn from both inside and outside thetechnical world. A helpful appendix provides information on standards, usability groups, and sources for more information.Jeff Cogswell is the author of 'Designing Highly Useable Software', published 2004 under ISBN 9780782143010 and ISBN 0782143016.