The best interface is no interface

I've came across a great post about user interfaces and how they help us or, at least, not get on our way.

A must read for all UX, designers, developers and everyone with a special interest in interfaces: The best interface is no interface.

./M6

Diagrams that Look Great

One of the thinks I dislike is people that stick with the first thing they get and do not take the time to see if there's anything better for them out there.

The usage of Visio is one example.
I never really liked the application, but 10 years ago it was one of the best we had for Windows.
Apple users really never suffered with this mainly because of OmniGraffle.

But one decade has passed and Visio still has the same not very good user experience interface and the same old boring graphics. Overall, the application transmits a look and feel of the nineties, even with that ribbon menu and the Aero look...

Fortunately there are others that feel the same, and when great UX pairs with great design, the result is (usually) a solution that rocks! We no longer have to stick with dull looking Visio diagrams, now there are things like gliffy.

The result of using gliffy, or similar solutions, is great looking diagrams that one can include in any document and it will produce a positive effect, because instead of turning your document dull, it will help making it look cool.

./M6

MVC vs. MVP

I've found an interesting description about Model-View-Presenter and Model-View-Controler and how they differ in StackOverflow: What are MVP and MVC and what is the difference?

./M6

Good Design and Bad Design

I've crossed with several design web sites. There's lot of them out there, but these I found particulary interesting.

One has an article with 50 lessons about graphy design theory. It's called 50 Totally Free Lessons in Graphic Design Theory and I've learned a lot from it. If you're looking for design information, this site will certainly be helpful.

Another one is a web site that collects web pages that suck. It's called Web Pages That Suck and it states that "it give us the opportunity to learn from other people's mistakes without having to make them ourselves". I agree. It's a good example of how not to design web pages.

Finally there is an article about basics of good web design. It's called 9 Essential Principles for Good Web Design and has useful information about how to do good web design.

./M6