Hands up how many people would download an unexpected exe from some site they'd just found on google? A site with no content except for four exe files?. Not many I'd bet, well, not many sensible ones at least. So what made the people at this site think this was a good way to provide everyone with access to their product catalogues?

I have just started using Backpack, a personal productivity application that is kind of like a cross between a wiki and a blog.

Since I've signed up for both a backpack and a Flickr account, I have realised that my personal information is scattered all over the web. (I have often whinged about the sheer number of usernames and passwords I have to remember, but that's another matter). For instance, I need to interact with/check these locations on a regular basis:

With the noble intent of thesis procrastination, I spent quite a bit of time at work looking up information about JavaScript. (Actually, some of it was relevant to creating the web survey for my thesis, but I probably went overboard). I've learned quite a lot, and learned that some of the ideas and impressions I had of JavaScript were actually wrong.

Flatlander: The parable of the managers explains why thou must go forth and write unit tests.

Fancy a walk down GUI memory lane? Then visit GUIdebook: Graphical User Interface gallery

I love the idea of this new keyboard: Optimus Keyboard. Instead of characters and symbols being permanently printed or stuck on the keys, they tops of the keys themselves are mini LCD screens, and can dynamically change as required.

Which of these icons means 'you are subscribed to email notifications', and which one means you aren't?

If Jakob Nielsen thinks that PDF is unfit for human consumption, what would he make of this ebook website?

One important part of designing websites for user interaction is creating effective and usable forms. There are several main cases where users will have to fill out a form in an ecommerce site: (1) completing the checkout process, (2) registering with the site, and (3) contacting you for information/quotes etc. In addition, depending on your site, you might have other functions that require people to fill out html forms.

I quite often come across badly designed websites. But I always wonder, should I do something about it? Should I send an email to the company and politely tell them about the usability issues I encountered?
How would someone react getting an email out of the blue telling them their site sucks? Even if I could phrase it nicely, would people take this as an insult? Or as constructive criticism?

Can you imagine a web based user interface that you use without clicking? How long do you last without clicking? I managed to navigate the entire site without clicking, but it was a struggle. The site definitely highlights how completely pervasive the idea of clicking things has become. There are probably a lot of places where interfaces could be designed to recognise mouse gestures and not need clicks.

I've been incredibly busy with work since I got back to India. Actually, it's really been like this since the start of this year. I'm working full time for Essential Resources, a New Zealand based company who publish awesome educational resources for teachers, as well as part time for the University, and for an Auckland-based startup. It's quite a blend of technologies and languages. (Sorry, but this post will mostly only make sense to geeks)