[Web4lib] Nielsen's Top 10 - 2005 version

[K.G. Schneider]

> a less-than-maximized browser window. Readability is a huge part of
> usability, and this involves being able to reliably control white space
> and line lengths on pages. I don't think Nielsen gets this, at all. (Not
> that I wish to start a long debate about aspects of design that Nielsen
> doesn't get--that could preoccupy the list for a very long time indeed!)

The "pros and cons of Nielsen" wouldn't be such a bad thread; I'm not
suggesting we go that route, but raising the issue that Nielsen ain't Gospel
isn't a bad idea. Someone charging big bucks for usability advice who puts
out a webpage like this:

http://www.useit.com/alertbox/wysiwyg.html

Where to begin? Not enough white space, text not constrained left to right
on a big screen, text not differentiated enough... it's a big ol' text
blorp. 

But then again, objections to Nielsen are just a Google away...

Karen G. Schneider
kgs at bluehighways.com