If you care at all about usability in general, and specifically, web usability, and you don't already know who Steve Krug is, for the love of Pete go buy his (and I do not say this lightly folks - I read around 100 books a year) FANTASTIC book, "Don't Make Me Think!" (now in 2nd Edition).
As I tell the people in the audience any time I do our Proving Ground on Information Architecture and Taxonomy consulting/education program (done onsite these days, 1-3 days long depending on need) - I bought a good dozen copies of the first edition of that book, and made sure EVERYONE who was on our web redesign team at the time had no excuse not to the read the book. I had spare copies at hand in case someone thought they could claim they lost it and get off easy, and it did wonders to help unify some core thinking for us. It's brief, it's simple, it's understandable, and it's not condescending. What more could you ask for? (another book, hint hint Steve!)
Anywho, in another random web stumble, this time via an e-newsletter from ZiffDavis that lead to their DevSource site, I spotted an interview of the man himself (Steve Krug, that is), and watched/listened in to the just over 20 minute piece while having a bit of lunch today.
It's good stuff, not all that different from what he's written or espoused in other interviews, but still, good to be reminded of how simply usability testing can be done.
Don't overcomplicate it folks - nobody turns into an expert on ANYTHING instantaneously, so why expect to do so with usability? Steve Krug and Jakob Nielsen weren't just born with this ability, they've learned it over time - as you will. Just start, and keep improving - this is partly why I'm so infatuated recently with Agile Development thinking. Iterate, improve, and keep on keepin' on.
Take a look/listen at the interview, and incidentally, I don't know about you, but this rumored 2nd book of his sounds like it will be awfully handy. Keep an Amazon alert out for the new book, and in all seriousness, grab a copy of the first book (but 2nd edition - it's updated and with some new commentary).
good find Dan thanks! I am also going to take a look at the George Olsen session on Web 2.0 and Lou Rosenfield on IA.
Posted by: daniela barbosa | August 22, 2006 at 02:01 AM
Daniela - Good point, hadn't noticed those sessions, and I was about to view the Jakob Nielsen session when I realized I'd already viewed it - it's just been a while!
Posted by: Dan Keldsen | August 22, 2006 at 09:06 AM