joshuago’s user_experience Bookmarks

80% of the people only need 20% of the features. Hide the rest from them and you’ll make them more productive and happy. That’s really all it takes.

A thorough unpacking of the different kinds of design which are relevant to making modern technology products.

The set of features you choose to build is one thing. The level you choose to execute at is another. Keep it tight.

Journalists (or journalism students) who believe the drivel about passives being bad are just imbibing tired old nonsense repeated by generations of usage-pontificating idiots plagiarizing from each other.

Common pitfalls and temptations to avoid when designing a web user product.

Dismal online conversations aren't part of the state of nature; everything online takes place in a constructed environment. That means bad discourse isn't a behavior problem, it's a design problem.

You can use analytics and data-driven design to climb to the top of the current mountain, but it takes a creative leap and good judgment to spot a bigger mountain to climb.

A good conversation thread about how programmers can produce great visual design, inspired by the results of Rails Rumble 2010.

If you can’t draw as well as someone, or use the software as well, or if you do not have as much money to buy supplies, or if you do not have access to the tools they have, beat them by being more thoughtful. Thoughtfulness is free and burns on time and empathy.

In most online communities, 90% of users are lurkers who never contribute, 9% of users contribute a little, and 1% of users account for almost all the action.