Current Read: About Face 3 - Update

I've been reading this book on the bus, to and from work. I have gotten as far as chapter 5 and I have a few impressions.

Good Things:

• The information is comprehensive and detailed. Cooper & gang include some good real world example cases and anecdotes.
• The authors are obviously seasoned experts and can explain why they advocate the approach they do, because they've tried the other theories and adopted the best parts for themselves.
• Their process is detailed and well documented.
  
  

Bad Things:

• They don't use plain english. Many of the words they use are either new to me or not part of my common vocabulary.
• The author also LOVES to use commas. They create extremely long sentences that group several concepts, subjects, phrases, terms, and methods together, and, that just aint kosher, cool, desirable, or advantageous.

Combine these two things together I have to re-read certain passages several times. Part of the problem seems to come from trying to be too complete and thorough. It isn't so bad that I won't continue but it is very frustrating!

That's all for now. Happy halloween.

current read: About Face 3

The third edition from Alan Cooper & gang. This book focuses on interaction design as it relates to the software creation process and how design (in various forms) can influence the "process" for the benefit of those who are supposed to actually use it.

One thing that I'm slowly learning as I progress in my design career. You must never stop learning. This is true for most things really, life, job, relationships; change is the only eternal constant. Add in some technology, and you have a future that requires you to be smaller, faster, and stronger than ever.

Nothing like an interview to bring this piece of reality to your attention. I am going to try reading more and watching soap operas less.

Btw, I noticed the prices from Amazon for this book are really good. I picked mine up from the University Bookstore for $45. Good bookstore, but a little spendy.