“Usability really just means making sure that something works well: that a person of average (or even below average) ability and experience can use the thing – whether it’s a web site, remote control, or revolving door – for its intended purpose without getting hopelessly frustrated.”
- Steve Krug

This is a great quote that I often use to easily describe or explain to clients the term ‘usability’.

But why this quote?

This quote is from the author of the famous ‘Don’t Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability’ web useability bible. Krug delivers this subject with good humor and excellent, straight-foward illustrated examples.

The techniques and examples presented in the book reply on users being able to surf easily through a well-designed site with minimal cognitive strain. He explains practical techniques for developing a highly usable web site. With theories such as “We don’t read pages – we scan them” and “We don’t figure out how things work – we muddle through” are discussed and presented with convincing reasoning. Basically Krug explains that understanding, accepting and apply these methodologies sets the foundations for and then produces champion websites.

Ask anyone who’s read the book, but be warned… they will almost definitely go on and on about how it it soo useful, revolutionary and vaulable, etc, etc…

Stephen W. Plain in a review of the book even claimed, ‘…despite its conciseness, (Krug’s book ‘Don’t Make Me Think’) will give you an expert’s ability to judge Web design. You’ll never form a first impression of a site in the same way again.’

So who is this wise man Steve Krug?

Steve Krug (pronounced “kroog” (…not Kerrrrug, you lazy Kiwis) spend the most part of a decade writing computer manuals, until about 1989 when he begun usability testing and interface design so he could ‘fix problems instead of explaining them’. Good old Steve eh.

Since then he’s analysed and improved interfaces for a wide variety of clients, primarily in online services, including Apple, Netscape, AOL, BarnesandNoble.com, the late, lamented Excite@Home, lexus.com, and Circle.com (originally Interactive Bureau).

His consulting firm, Advanced Common Sense (or as Krug says ‘just me and a few well-placed mirrors’) is based in Chestnut Hill, MA (and for anyone outside of the States – Chestnut Hill is a wealthy suburban neighborhood of Boston – notable for its stately old houses, scenic landscape and the historic campus of Boston College…).

Krug is now a highly respected usability consultant. He currently spends most of his time reviewing existing sites and designs for new sites, conducting usability workshops, and helping clients resolve interface issues.

His website is a great resource to get in the know with Usability and has some useful resources for download. It also has highly amusing ‘Monthy Tip’s’ – this months being:

“If you really want to know if your Web site works, ask your next door neighbor to try using it, while you watch. (You bring the beer.)”

The man has a great sense of humor which is evident in his book and interviews with him; for example check out these links managementconsultingnews.com, webword.com and particularly this one from the fantastic boxesandarrows.com website. I also really like the how he has service marked his byline ‘It’s not rocket surgery’ : )

For more about Mr Krug, check out his website, Advanced Common Sense.