[platform-ui-dev] UI book recommendations

[Nick Edgar <Nick_Edgar@xxxxxxxxxx>]

In our post-3.0 review discussions, the topic of good UI books (or other 
resources) came up.

I have the following recommendations to share:

"The Design of Everyday Things" (previously known as "The Psychology of 
Everyday Things") by Don Norman
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/0465067107
- Not specifically about computer UIs, but one of the best references for 
getting into the usability mindset.  You won't look at door handles the 
same way again.

"GUI Bloopers" by Jeff Johnson
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1558605827
- An excellent presentation on the things that are easy to get wrong in 
UIs, and how to make them right.

"About Face 2.0" by Alan Cooper
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764526413
- Although brash and opinionated, he has some useful things to say about 
UIs.  In particular, the discussion on different "stances" taken by 
different apps is interesting. (my comments are based on the first edition 
of the book)

"Effective Java" by Josh Bloch
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0201310058
- OK, it's not a book about UIs at all, but it's an essential reference 
for Java coding.

"This is Broken" edited by Mark Hurst
http://broken.typepad.com/
- Very entertaining web sitepointing out usability experiences that are 
broken (not just software).
- His newsletter/blog at http://www.goodexperience.com is also worthwhile.