Here’s a little secret that I’d like to share with you: most people just aren’t all that thrilled by forms. They don’t like filling them in, they don’t like thinking about them, and they certainly don’t like the idea ofContinue reading… Hooray, I’m Doing the Forms!
Category: All
Not beyond usability – just nearby
I’ve got a pet peeve: the phrase ‘beyond usability’. It doesn’t matter who uses it and how appropriate it is to the content of their article, website, speech or whatever. I hear it, I get annoyed, I stop paying attention.Continue reading… Not beyond usability – just nearby
Making a better web form
Which usability changes make the biggest difference? Invited by LoanBright to review their forms, we were surprised by some of the results. Among the changes we tested – layout, wording of questions, addition of extra pages – the only one to make a significant differenceContinue reading… Making a better web form
Usability test reports – your chance to influence a new standard
What do you think about international standards such as ISO 13407 or ISO 9000? Necessary but dull? Expensive but important? Irrelevant to daily life? I’m not going to pretend that these documents are ever going to compete with Harry PotterContinue reading… Usability test reports – your chance to influence a new standard
Five factors for choosing forms software
At any time there are dozens of forms products on the market so how do you choose the right option for physically creating your form? In this paper for the Business Forms Management Association Symposium, I explore five areas you need toContinue reading… Five factors for choosing forms software
The piece of HTML created just for me: Reset
HTML 2.0 appeared in 1995. At that time, I was working in usability of forms – and I still am. But I didn’t have email or an internet connection. So I think it was remarkably nice of the authors to includeContinue reading… The piece of HTML created just for me: Reset
Designing comparative evaluations
It was one of those calls that is simultaneously good news and bad news. “We’d like you to do an evaluation for us. We have two designs here and we want to know which one is better”. The good news:Continue reading… Designing comparative evaluations
How not to get a job in usability
Way back in 1982, a powerful television series called Boys from the Blackstuff added a new catchphrase to the British vocabulary: “gizza job”. A key character, Yosser Hughes, had a torrid time trying to find a job in Liverpool duringContinue reading… How not to get a job in usability
Don’t get bitten by JAWS – it deserves respect
Update in 2026: I wrote this post in 2004 and at that time there were few screen readers available. JAWS was the premier product, and the fact that it’s still available (and widely used) today says something about its usefulessContinue reading… Don’t get bitten by JAWS – it deserves respect
A farewell to pop-ups
Comment added in 2022: These days we use the term ‘modal’ instead of ‘pop-up’ and I don’t see as much discussion of pop-up blockers. Otherwise, I think this is still accurate. CJ. Do you remember the olden days onContinue reading… A farewell to pop-ups