IT Solutions Blog

• Debunking the Myths of Remote Usability Studies (by Corrie Kwan, Jin Li, and May Wong) – some myths might seem obvious, but others – drawn from first-hand experience – are not. Anyway, lot’s of good advise to be considered.
• How to Communicate With Your Clients (by Joel Reyes) – In short: Listen, Ask, Consult, Respect, Reason
• Beginner’s Guide to SEO: Best Practices – Part 3/3, Part 2/3, Part 1/3 (by hongkiat) – Search Engine Optimization is a must in all our toolboxes. Excellent three-part tutorial, thx!
• 250 Quick Web Design Tips (Part 2) (Part 1) (by Alexander Dawson) – about Browsers, Styles, Techniques, Marketing and all other good stuff.
• Agile UX and The One Change That Changes Everything (by Anders Ramsay) – Start Building Earlier through Rapid and Rich Communication and Just-in-Time Detail.

As always, send me your link or mention it in the comments. Anything related to this blog is much appreciated by all of us. Thanks!

Happy New Year everybody! Hope you are healthy and fully motivated for a new decade of great things to happen. It’s going to be great!

If the last decade gave us wikipedia, digg, facebook and all the other fascinating apps based on web 2.0, collaboration and connection then we can truly be excited of what lies ahead of us – I am!

Highlights of week 01/2010

Here is what made me happy last week:

• Placebos Are Getting More Effective. Drugmakers Are Desperate to Know Why (by Steve Silberman) – Belief is power, color, shape and labeling are important triggers for effectiveness; good article on wired; applicable to web design as well?!
• WAI initiative: Speak up! Tell organizations if their website is inaccessible – Take a few minutes to encourage web accessibility. Your voice counts.
• Myths & Misconceptions About Grid Systems – I’m a big believer in grid systems, but is it a one fits all? Do grid systems benefit each and every development? Is a website less valuable when not based on a grid system?
• Simple Numbers, Complicated Dates: 49 Innovative Calendars (by Michael Poh) – Start the New Year with some creative calendars.
• Web Design Trends and Resolutions for 2010 – A good collection and reflection by designreviver.com
• More Like This: A Design Pattern (by Greg Nudelman) – Design Patterns like ‘More like this’ help to speed up development, define a common language and should be part of everybody’s toolkit
• Drop-Shadows and Gradients: Be Consistent in Your Visual Metaphors (by Nate Eagle) – How to design them correctly, please have a look, no excuses later!