Things are always changing in the software world; and with every new release or version of every software application in the market, the one thing that always changes or improves is the UI. I always emphasize the need for the UI to always be consistent, attractive, and user friendly in my speaking sessions and blogs. After all, the UI is the application. UI design guidelines have existed before, but they would become less effective, if not completely redundant, when Windows Vista is released next year. Microsoft is attempting to come out with a clear set of guidelines for designing the UI which make the application easy to use, easy to learn, and enjoyable for users. UX (User Experience) as it would be called in Windows Vista, has been codenamed "Aero". The Aero theme file would allows Vista developers to easily bring the UX design into their apps.
While the detailed "UX Guidelines" can be downloaded from the Microsoft website, you need to go through the process of validating yourself as a genuine Windows user, Genuine Windows Advantage as they call it, to be able to download the 14.5 MB self-extracting executable file. The top rules that govern the UX design are:
- Use the Aero Theme and System Font (Segoe UI)
- Use common controls and common dialogs
- Use the standard window frame, use glass judiciously
- Use icons and graphics consistent with the Windows Vista style and quality
- Use task dialogs for new or frequently used dialog boxes and error messages
- Use Aero Wizards
- Use Explorer-hosted, navigation-based user interfaces, provide a Back button
- Use the standard Windows Search
- Use the Windows Vista tone in all UI text
- Clean up the user interface
- Use notifications judiciously
- Reserve development time for "fit and finish"!
A couple of weeks ago, I heard an instructor, at a Training I was attending, dismiss the need for an attractive GUI for entreprise applications; applications that need to work in a business environment, according to him, need to be sound in their working, and not their GUI. I couldn't disagree more. How would anyone, entreprise user or otherwise, react if she/he could see the Windows on the desktop like this?
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