Google explains it's new open source, Webkit-based Chrome Web Browser with a 28 page comic book inked by Scott McCloud. The Chrome browser beta becomes available to Windows users on September 2, 2008. Mac and Linux versions are also planned.
Jakob Nielsen's Alertbox reports on their study of sitemaps, observing that among the sites they tested, sitemaps continue to be a useful tool to some people. While their study shows that they are rarely used, they can be simple, inexpensive tools to generate for the users who find value in the sense-making cues that a visual overview provides. Their recommendation is to continue to use them if you already produce them, but keep them static and don't add interactive effects to them.
James Kelway's article on wireframes in the User Pathways blog summarizes what the different types are, what their purpose is, who the audience for their use are, and how they are typically implemented. There are several nice illustrations in this article for those that need to explain what they are.
http://userpathways.com/2008/06/26/the-what-when-and-why-of-wireframes/
The Economist, the magazine and news site, provides access to the excellent editorial style guide that every journalist for the company is given. The book, written by John Grimond, is also available for purchase in the printed book form.
Not sure if the user on Vimeo who posted this is THE Woz, but he or she posted this concept user interface for an iPhone menu application that looks very interesting. The video opens with a UI that displays falling media that appear like little square stamps dropping like leaves to a desktop with contacts, photos, videos, etc. on the face of the leaves. The user can apparently pick up one of the pieces, and if it's a video for example, start playing that video in the UI. Also shows a pretty carousel menu and an awesome looking RGB color mixer for customizing the wallpaper I presume. Very nice ideas here, if only for conceptual purposes.
Video of a paper prototype created for Daum's AJAX-based hanmail.net webmail service. It's a little hard to know what's going on without hearing the test participant think out loud, but it's a nice demo of the prototype.
This is a very topically focused blog I can appreciate. Kate Rutter of Adaptive Path started, StickyNote Ninja, a site dedicated to using sticky notes for more than just to do reminders.
From her about page, she says "...I’ve been using them in my work, my personal life and as a tool to help companies work faster, more collaboratively, and to make smart decisions that stick. In 2007, I began speaking to groups about these simple, cheap, ubiquitous and powerful tools. This site is a resource for stickynote ninjas everywhere as we journey in our quest for perfection via stickynotes."
Love it.
I've updated the OmniGraffle web design template formerly hosted on my blog at urlgreyhot. The new UX template is now formatted for OmniGraffle Pro version 5.
In this template you'll find shared layers (masters) for a title page, wireframe, wireframe/storyboard hybrid, simple storyboard, and storyboard with notes. Guides and adherence to a regular grid make it easy to use. The doc is sized so you can work at 100%, and print at 8.5" x 11" or 11" x 17".
You you can view screenshots and download here at Konigi.
OmniGraffle Pro (v. 5) template for interface design. Includes shared layers for basic UX document needs, e.g. title page, wireframes, storyboards. Grid with guides keeps your layout tight. Sized to work in 100% at 1:1 ratio in terms of pixels—the wireframe is 950px wide 30px cols. To print, export to PDF and scale to fit. In presentation mode, you'll be showing true pixel dimensions.
1. Download the template.
2. Unzip it and move it to your ~/Library/Application Support/OmniGraffle/Templates directory. The ~ represents your user "home" folder.
3. Download the diagram style
4. Move it to your ~/Library/Application Support/OmniGraffle/Diagram Styles directory.
Download Version 2.5.1 (11/28/11)
Download Diagram Style for Sitemaps
This template is free to use, but may not be distributed without permission. If you like it, a donation is appreciated.
Q: What's the deal with the huge pages?
A: I use Page setup to control canvas size. The 22"x34" template was scaled to fit comfortably when printed in 11"x17". I scale up so that I can work in 1:1 ratio for presenting on screen in PDF.
There are options in the Canvas inspector that allow you to print one canvas per sheet rather than scaling to fit across sheets if your page setup is smaller than your canvas.
Q: How do I print these large documents?
A: When printing, do this in your print dialog:
1) select the Paper Handling options from the drop down menu
2) check "Scale to fit paper size"
3) check "Scale down only"
Your document should now print at the right scale for whatever paper size you use. Keep in mind that that template is made ideally for projecting on screen and for printing on 11x17 paper.
Q: I can't open this file in OmniGraffle 4.x!
A: This file was saved in OmniGraffle 5, but you should be able to open in OG 4 by renaming the extension from .gtemplate to .graffle.
Q: What are the numbers above the wireframes about?
A: The numbers above the wireframes are column numbers for a 24 column grid. If you turn guides on, you'll see guide lines for each of the columns. If you want to hide them from your exported document, just hide the column number shared layer.
Q: How do you use these?
A: I have occasionally posted example OmniGraffle documents to articles I write in the Notebook section of Konigi. There's a sample deliverable here.
Fi do a little show and tell of their Visio wireframes and discuss their use on Think Swedish.