***SPOILER ALERT*** I share Steve Krug’s definition of Usability (even though he doesn't share it until the last chapter) here because I feel it describes his own book so well:
Usability: “A person of average (or even below average) ability and experience can figure out how to use the thing [i.e., it’s learnable] to accomplish something [effective] without it being more trouble than it’s worth [efficient].”
This book is learnable in that its format is structured but delightful, with clearly laid out chapters with copious illustrations that enhance and amuse without distracting. It has a full index and easy-to-reread organization, which I know I will be turning to again and again as I perform regular usability testing on my company’s website.
This book is effective in its recommendations for how (and why) to design sites to be usable and then later to regularly test the usability of what you have created, being ready to tweak based on the results. Many other reviewers have said it, and I mean it: I am going to make this book required reading for all stakeholders in our company website. Whether we digest individual chapters at weekly staff meetings or people read it on their own, there is too much good content in Don’t Make Me Think to keep to myself.
And finally, this book is efficient. Weighing in at a scant 200 pages (yes, exactly 200), it still contains enough deep thought and meaty content to be truly useful. Krug just follows his own directives and writes the book as if writing for the Web, spare and concise, making good use of headings and bullet points to clearly get his message across. I salute his inclusion of the revised chapters addressing the “Wild West” of development for mobile platforms, even though trends are still in flux as developers work out what works and what doesn’t. He is understandably cautious to embrace any trend, and at this point, that is wise. I do look forward to the next revision, however, to see his take on the latest developments.
Don’t Make Me Think was required reading for a course on Emerging Web Trends, and I cannot think of a better text. I have already ordered many of the other books Krug recommends for my holiday reading, and appreciate his inclusion of links to helpful supplementary materials on his own website. If you are a student considering whether to rent or buy this textbook, I would definitely vote “buy.” This one is a keeper.
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