User Interface Design for Programmers Written by the don Joel Spolsky, a man whose judgements I have come to respect a lot.
Apress Books (2001).
The most refreshing book I have read since Head First design patterns. The stories are short and sweet in the traditional Joel way. His judgements are largely unbiased. He explored the beauty of using tab controls correctly, probably a guiding force for Office 2007's new tabbed approach its common user interface. He critized those mundane windows wizards that asked questions I called my brother to answer then. Why ask a user to minimize database size or pick another option, I just want to search dude!
I particularly agree with designing some user interface the common office user interface way; arguably over 90% users of Windows are already familiar with the same UI and will expect to find an exit menu under File. And true, Microsoft spends a lot on usability tsting, by the way Joel should know as he wwas former program manager for Excel.
I have listed a couple of usability changes I would like included in ourEMR application.

1. Most recently accessed patients because users don't remember


2. Less intimidating dialog boxes because users can't read


3. some more interesting and suggestive icons, to serve as real world metaphors


4. Change the save key from ctrl + C (this is a nasty one) to ctrl + S. This ensures users are in charge and have more control. Its also the general windows way, what were they thinking of when they asked for that key combination. Oh its embarasing I implemented that!

A lot more stuff on web design, he canvassed those good old suggestive 3D push buttons, links with normal behaviour and some truly interesting stories.

Did Joel truly work in that bakery?, the things people do for survival.  ¶ 3:02 PM