Heuristicausabilidadejemplos

Review Usability Best Practices
Don’t forget the usability basics. Jakob Nielsen’s Ten Usability Heuristics are as relevant now as they were in 1999. I stress this because I looked at the Flex showcase recently, and it looks like many of the applications are not built with these best practices in mind.

1. Visibility of system status (Feedback)
The system should always keep users informedabout what is going on, through appropriate feedback within reasonable time.

1.0 BaseCamp by 37signals
The upload button is enabled, until clicked. Then it is replaced with a progress indicator until the file has finished uploading


1.1 Picnik
Progress message and indicator shows while the application loads


1.2 Tick
A feedback message is displayed when an action is performed1.3 Windows Live Account
Password strength is shown as the password is entered

2. Match between system and the real world (METAPHOR)
The system should speak the users’ language, with words, phrases and concepts familiar to the user, rather than system-oriented terms. Follow real-world conventions, making information appear in a natural and logical order.

2.0 iTunes
Organized as a librarythat contains your media library: music, movies, shows, audibooks. Beneath the Library is the Store where you can buy more media to put in your Library.


2.1 Mindomo
The branches and hierarchy of a mind map can be easily reorganized visually in a non-linear manner. An outline would never work, but this matches the paradigm exactly.

3. User control and freedom (NAVIGATION)
Users often choosesystem functions by mistake and will need a clearly marked “emergency exit” to leave the unwanted state without having to go through an extended dialogue. Supports undo and redo and a clear way to navigate.

3.0 CollabFinder
Search is easy to open, enter info, execute or cancel.


3.1 Wufoo
Clearly marks where the person is and where they can go by showing the selection in each menu3.2 Pages (Apple’s Word Processing Product)
Cell editing shows row and column ids, and the cells used in the equation. The equation can be saved or canceled.


3.3 Balsamiq
Undo and Redo buttons are available in the toolbar, and can also be accessed with the standard keyboard shortcuts

4. Consistency and standards (CONSISTENCY)
Users should not have to wonder whether different words,situations, or actions mean the same thing. Follow platform conventions.


4.0 Gmail
When Gmail was designed, they based the organizational folders on the same ones used in client email applications: Inbox, Drafts, Sent Mail.


4.1 Microsoft Office
Word, Excel, and PowerPoint all use the same style toolbar with the same primary menu options: Home, Insert, Page Layout… Consistency results inefficiency and perceived intuitiveness.

5. Error prevention (PREVENTION)
Even better than good error messages is a careful design, which prevents a problem from occurring in the first place.


5.0 Yammer
Disables the update button after it is clicked, so the person cannot update the post twice by accident


5.1 Example from “Web form Design:Filling in the Blanks” by Luke W.
Make theprimary action prominent with a larger click area. Cancel and secondary actions are just shown as links


5.2 Google Auto Recommend
The auto recommend feature cuts down on mis-spellings


5.2 Wikpedia
Auto focus on input prevents a common source of frustration, typing only to realize nothing is displayed because the field did not have focus

6. Recognition rather than recall (MEMORY)Minimize the user’s memory load. Make objects, actions, and options visible. The user should not have to remember information from one part of the dialogue to another. Instructions for use of the system should be visible or easily retrievable whenever appropriate.


6.0 Quanta IDE
Type ahead for coding in a development environment


6.1 Keynote
Previews the fonts you can pick from, instead...