Customer Rating: 
Summary: Made me think!
Comment: I'm about to design my first corporate web site, and I'd heard aboutthis book so I purchased it recently. You can read it in one day Isuppose, but I spaced it out to about 5 days. Lots of screen shotsand sample graphics help make it clear exactly what the author istalking about. I usually highlight the good parts when I read (forlater reference), and some of the pages in this book were gettingsoggy with all the yellow ink I was slapping on! The best chapterswere the ones on navigation - it's made me rethink the navigation forthe site I'm about to start work on, and really helped give me somenew insights. Also good is the chapter on usability testing, whichnever even occurred to me. The only downside is the price... Thatsaid, it's a very well laid-out, nice-looking book. Even thepaperstock is of very high quality, but of course you're paying extrafor that slickness. All in all, I'm glad I read it and wouldrecommend it to anyone who's thinking of designing a web site -especially graphic designers who think web page navigation is merely anecessary evil!
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Agreed; light on substance
Comment: i agree with a previous review that said the book was light on substance. it seems more of a statement of the way things are rather than *why* things are. and the last part of the book is all about do-it-yourself useability testing. as a designer, this had little relevance for me. i honestly don't know who i would recommend this book to.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent Overview of Usability
Comment: This book starts out explaining that it is not for usability professionals, but rather for beginners. Therefore, it appeared to me that a lot of the book was common sense (hence the title). However, from the difficulties we all experience on web sites it is very apparent that common sense often gets lost somewhere in the process. The book details the design process -- giving before and after examples -- and then continues through usability testing and gives examples of how to conduct a test. Above all else, the book forces you to focus on your end user. It was a very easy read and one that provided useful arguments for clients. In fact, I wish all of my clients would read this! It is presented in a very clear and concise manner and the book design itself practices its own usability principles. In summary, this book is great for anyone involved in the design process who has not already read ten other usability books. Although, even if you have, it is a great reference when you need to explain your design arguments and need for usability testing to clients in plain English. It is also helpful to smaller design firms who do not have the ability to employ usability testers. It gives a good overview and plan of how to conduct the tests on your own.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Must have - for individuals involved in web development.
Comment: This book covers the real-world issues of web development. Unlike other reference books which only pin-pointing the 'bad' side of certain websites, this one provides you some guides in bringing up a better-than-average webpages, if not the best. Even the book itself was structured nicely in presenting its prominent content - mostly in point form. Very effective for busy individuals. Get it!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Web Designers, Read This
Comment: "Don't Make Me Think" is incredibly clear, concise, and helpful - as well as surprisingly enjoyable. Every web designer or developer should read it and take its message to heart. I develop web sites at an e-business solutions provider, and these are the kind of issues I tackle every day. I am reading three industry-related books and ten industry-related magazines on any given day, and I managed to make it through this book in lightning speed. Kudos to author and editors for creating such an easy-to-swallow dose of usability advice, and for adding excellent sprinkles on top in the form of good-natured humor throughout and a resource section at the end.Web design is a young field, and because of that, many people who design web sites today have no formal training in web or interface design. A background in print design or technology is a great start, but not sufficient when it comes to creating a usable web site. It is crucial to take usability into account when creating a site that you want people to interact with - ESPECIALLY when you want people to buy something from your site. This book provides a terrific outline of usability issues, as well as a look into usability testing, in a very accessible and encouraging manner. Anyone involved in designing or developing web sites can benefit from it. Especially if you have never conducted a usability test and don't realize how average people (ie, non-web-savvies) interact with a web site - this book will open your eyes to some vital information which will help you create better, more usable sites.
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