As my reading continues further into the textbook, I begin to wish that the same rules that Krug proposes in his writings on good usability websites could apply to homework. The world would be one step closer to Utopia if homework was designed in the same way that requires less effort from students and, most importantly, does not make us think. However, I suppose that I can keep dreaming until then…
Chapter 8 focuses on the tendency to assume that most web users have the same likes and dislikes and uses the web in the same way. Krug has witnessed the reality of this assumption which is that “all web users are unique and all web use is basically idiosyncratic”. He describes an effective usability website as one that is “carefully thought out, well executed, and tested”.
Chapter 9 elaborates on usability testing where Krug stresses on the importance of testing early during the web development process. I had learned a few new terms throughout my reading which had helped me to better understand their differences. If Krug had not provided an explanation on the definitions of ‘focus groups’ and ‘usability test’ and their appropriate use, I would have simply thought that both methods are similar and the same. ‘Focus Groups’ consists of a small group of people who react to ideas and designs whereas ‘Usability Test’ is comprised of a single user who is requested to perform typical tasks to deliver results. It is important to consider focus groups during the preliminary stages of the development process so that these results can then be applied to the designing aspect. There is really no excuse for not conducting any kind of usability testing on a website as it can be fairly easy and affordable, such as Krug’s ‘Lost-Our-Lease Testing’. Ultimately, conducting several testing throughout the phases of development will do more for the website than to hurt it. As Krug states, “testing reminds you that not everyone thinks the way you do, knows what you know, uses the web the way you do”. The opportunity will provide some valuable insights and allow for some significant improvements for any website.
At the end of my reading journey through these two chapters, I can only conclude that Krug tends to use some very unusual subheadings in his book. Can anyone explain what is meant by “Don't throw the baby out with the dishes”? Why waste dishes anyway?
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