Warmest Greetings,

:: Friday, October 10, 2003 ::

Just launched!
The Cre8pc Usability Testing Center. Because people keep asking the question, "Where can I get heuristic checklists in one place?" The free stuff is on my site now. I'm working on an "Ultimate Usability Evaluation Checklist" that will be offered for sale. From that document you can go over every nook and cranny, and then some.

I must tell you. This article made my day. Anyone trained in software application quality assurance testing knows what this writer is talking about. Programmers work out things like "What happens if two people are placing an order at the exact same time for the exact same thing and there's only one left?" but only if someone remembers to even consider that possibility. Often, a question like this is asked at the very end, just before roll-out, when the QA Engineers get it. Many questions are common sense ones based on how the user interacts with the software. You'd be amazed at how much software is designed without you in mind and how you will use it!

Pigeons can push random buttons asks "Why does a well-designed user interface seem to drop off the list of priorities when new systems are created?"

"It continues to amaze me that twenty years after Apple showed the world what well-designed software looked like, most IT departments think the word "Usability" is shorthand for user stopping, activity blighting, information losing, irksome travesty. But then, why would they feel any differently? Companies who spend untold thousands on training and "staff advancement" schemes so inane they pop arteries on a statue would no more hire a usability consultant to actually ask what's needed than get David Blaine in to advise on the staff canteen. It's the same attitude that provides air conditioning for the server room and leaves the grunts at the terminals to wilt in the heat."

I love it when people rant for me.

More complaints about DMOZ.
This one is about morality?

Tunefork MSN. How does MSN rank?

Everytime I see the word "Eolas" I think it's about a virus. Eolas v. Microsoft - What is it about?

Digital-women.com gathers together the gender. I like their tagline, "Women with their modems running." Yep. That would be me. Can you hear my engine roar?

Nothing like a little competition. Typepad is officially launched. Their blog software lets you include a photo album. Cool!

Playful Google offers a new toy for its advertisers. Google Rolls Out Keyword Conversion Tool. One line of Javascript, and it barks and plays ball too.

Chris, Andy and Kalena have disappeared this week but I still hit their blogs every day. It's like knocking on someone's front door and then running away to hide in the bushes.

I have soccer, a Mountain Lion festival, and a house full of kids (mine and their friends who come over) this weekend. We haven't covered up the pool yet although it's too cold to swim in it. I can't bear to see the water covered up and a huge chunk of the background left to sit idle. Why don't they make some contraption to let you skate in your pool when it freezes in winter?

Chris Ridings takes the it even further and writes An Open Letter to CPM Links, Subtitle: When an endorsement is not an endorsement. Chris, I'm glad you're feeling better, and it's great to see you back in the saddle again.

:: posted by Kim Krause Berg on 10/10/2003 10:58:36 AM

:: Today's Post Permalink | Back to the BLOG Home
:: Website Evaluations
:: Email this Post  
:.................................

Feed Bin

Learn how to make RSS Feed Buttons

Highly Recommended!
(Read review)
Search Engine Marketing Kit, by Dan Thies

• User Centered Design
• Usability Industry Research
• Increase Website Conversions
• Starter Ecommerce Checklist

• Web Design & The Usability Effect
• Usability and SEO Humor

Crooked sunglasses

My artistic friends love this picture.

• About Kim Krause Berg
• My Articles
• Me Again (My Fave Blog Posts)
• August 2005 : Expanding on Usability - An Interview with Kim Krause Berg
• Kim's Wish List

Recent Posts

If you put up a webpage, is it considered "publish...

There's no nail in Yahoo's coffin or a memorial se...

Today's fun-filled walk around the Internet brough...

The kids don't have school today, so I'm in my hom...

If you have Google Ad$ense ads on your sites, this...

I still don't trust them. LookSmart launched its o...

There's many ways to run a forums and many styles ...

If you search the 'Net using Google a zillion time...

This week's High Rankings Advisor newsletter runs ...

This is too hot to hide underneath your Internet r...

Monthly Archives

It's That Book Again

Conversions Topic is New York Times Best Seller (Seriously)

Kim is a Member of the Usability Professionals Association

"This report exceeded my expectations. After reading it a few times, I went through and highlighted those parts of your actionable advice that I want to implement right away... I ended up highlighting most of the report. Stellar job. I won't hesitate to recommend you to one of my own clients." -- Andy Hagans of AndyHagans.com

"I have implemented the most obvious changes and I suppose the fact that we've seen an immediate increase in sales/conversions is no coincidence. I'd highly recommend your service to anyone running a serious web based business." -- Steve Clay, Plumeriabay.com

"As soon as we get our hands on one of her usability studies, my clients and I have a better understanding of what needs to be done with their sites to make them the best they can be from their site visitors' perspective."
-- Jill Whalen, HighRankings.com

"This is an exemplary piece of work." -- Rand Fishkin, SEOMoz.org

View more Testimonials | Clients
Learn about Website improvement services.