Customer Rating:  
Summary: Excellent Introduction to Web Usability
Comment: If there's a book to use when introducing someone to the ideas of usability on the Web, I'd have to say that I think this is it. Not Nielsen, and not Cooper (at least not to start with). Steve Krug's "Don't Make Me Think" has the most no-nonsense and easy-to-follow approach I think I've ever seen, and best of all, he makes SENSE.
First of all, Krug deconstructs some of the sites we all know and use often, and he does so to help us see what we should be doing, as well as what we should not. I remember being especially impressed with his in-depth analysis of Amazon.com's navigation scheme (Chapter 6 - "Street Signs and Breadcrumbs"), from the use of tabs to the structure of the sub-navigation to color changes, he covers it all with a sense of humor, clear pictorial examples, a sharp eye for detail, and a clear concise explanation of what works and why. The reader is left with a greater understanding of not only why Amazon has been so successful, but also what choices they made that helped them find this solution.
The chapter on usability testing (Chapter 9 - "Usability Testing on 10 cents a day") was another fine example of clear communication and great ideas. Krug's breakdown of how the usability process should be conducted, and why it's needed in the first place, is concise and not preachy, as some usability authors are, and it really gives the reader an excellent idea of how they can fit usability into their process. This is probably the best way to "sell" usability to someone, and he does a great job of it.
The whole book is like that, really, but those chapters were highlights in the book for me. His ideas on simplicity of presentation and home page design were also well-taken, both as a designer and as someone who uses the web. Perhaps that is what makes his book so excellent, is that really, anyone could get something out of it. Whether it's the person who surfs the web now and again or the one who designs the pages for it or the one who's paying for the person to design pages for it, anyone could read this book and benefit from it, without having to wade through piles of needless verbage or proselytizing.
In the end, "Don't Make Me Think" seems to be an example of what it advises... it keeps things simple and accessible for a wide variety of people, and thereby makes itself useful as an excellent resource. The next time someone asks me what Web usability is all about, this is the first book I'll be recommending to them.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Don't design your website without this book!
Comment: This book is a definite MUST HAVE for any website designer, newbie to web design and anyone and everyone who has an online business. Simple, easy to understand visuals compliment the text, which is written in a very simplistic manner. This book is wonderful - magnificent - excellent, and will help you greatly understand the elements of successful web design. I've used it to consistently update my own website, at:
http://www.aei.dli.comIf you don't have this book, you're missing out on your single-most-important investment in your professional life!
Customer Rating:
Summary: A MUST-HAVE for any online business!!!
Comment: This book is one of the most magnificently written books I've ever read. It's written in such an easy to understand way, and in simple terms so that EVERYONE can understand it! There are tons of helpful tips in how to design the best website ever. As part of a Women's World-wide organization, as well as an Entrepreneur, this book helped me to take another 'look' at my website and do some serious make-overs! I will continue to use this book on a weekly basis to keep referencing back to it for some website pointers for my site @
http://www.aei.dli.com.
If you don't own this book - buy it now. It will definitely become one of the most valuable items in your home office!
Customer Rating:
Summary: How to make sure you're buying the latest edition
Comment: I'm the author (Steve Krug), and I just wanted to post a clarification so people don't get confused by that last review, which says "This is not the latest version."
The way Amazon currently works, that review shows up when you look at either edition. I assume Gregory posted it (trying thoughtfully to keep people from being confused) while looking at the first edition page. Unfortunately, it also shows up when people are looking at the *second* edition.
So just to keep things straight, here's how to make sure you're buying the latest version. You can tell you're looking at the right one if
a) The title includes the words "(2nd Edition)"
b) The publication date is September 15, 2005, and
c) The ISBN number is 0321344758
I hope this helps.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Ingeniously Obvious
Comment: I have been either programming or designing functionality for websites for almost 10 years. This book was the wake up call I needed. I can honestly say it has completely changed the way I think about what I do. While most of what is in the book does seem obvious, sometimes it takes having someone tell you these things to realize their importance. I like this book so much I recommended it to everyone I work with and picked up all of the books in the recommended further reading section. All I can say is read this book if you are a designer, developer, or business analyst!
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