Apple Faces Patent Case Regarding iTunes Store

Posted by: Josh Walsh in Design.

Apple Computer, and it’s co-defendants Microsoft, Napster and Rhapsody are being sued by Sharing Sound LLC, who holds the rights to a patent for web based music stores.  A similar suit has been filed against Amazon, Netflix, Wal-Mart, GameStop and Barnes & Noble.

Abstract from Patent 6,233,682:

The system and method permit the purchase of audio music files over the Internet. The PC user logs onto the vendor’s web site and browses the songs available for purchase. The songs can be arranged by artist, music style, etc., as mentioned above. Further, the vendor can provide suggestions on the web site, directing the PC user to songs that might be desirable, based on that PC user’s previous purchases, her indicated preferences, popularity of the songs, paid advertising and the like.  If interested in a song, the PC user has the option of clicking on a song to “pre-listen” to it–hearing a 20-second clip, for example. [...]

As is true of many software patents, this is just bogus.  They’ve patented the traditional ecommerce workflow, specifically targeting the music industry.  The patent was filed in 2000, one year prior to iTunes premier.

If I had the rights to a similar patent in the t-shirt niche, you couldn’t open a t-shirt website without infringement.  You couldn’t organize by brand or designer.  You couldn’t recommend other products to upsell based on shopping habits. Heck, you couldn’t even show a preview image of the design on the front.

After a little research, I couldn’t determine exactly what business Sharing Sound, LLC is in.  I’m assuming they are in the business of litigation.

Introducing the “Divergence” Omnifocus Theme

Posted by: Josh Walsh in Design.

Omnifocus has been my GTD trusted system for over a year now. It’s power and flexibility is awesome, but the look and feel leaves something to be desired.  Things by CulturedCode has been taunting me with it’s superb design.

Visual design is not just about look and feel. It’s about using visual elements to emphasize the meaning of the content. I haven’t found themes which really pay attention to this detail as well as I would like.

So, as any obsessive designer would do, I created my own.

Continue →

All the cool cats are “#UX Designers”

Posted by: Josh Walsh in User Experience.

Designing the user experience is not a new idea. There have been people thinking about it since the invention of the wheel. The problem is that now it’s hip to be a “UX designer.” It’s marketable.

People ask me how to sell UX to their customers. You shouldn’t have to. People don’t come to you and say “design me something that’s hard to use.” Their request for design implies usability, just as your service implies usability work.

Now “UX” is exploited as a way to make more money. It’s another line item on an invoice. Deplorable.

Can you argue with Flash’s market share?

Posted by: Josh Walsh in Design.

Market share is not a good way to advocate bad design practices. Adobe claims a 99% market share, although John Gruber points out that their survey was a bit misleading:

Adobe’s own statistics on Flash’s market penetration claim 99 percent penetration as of last month. That’s because, according to their survey methodology, they’re only counting “PCs” — which ignores the entire sort of devices which have brought about this debate. Adobe is arguing that Flash is installed on 99 percent of all web browsers that support Flash, not 99 percent of all web browsers.

If you wanted to build an application to reach the masses, which of these options would you pick?

Satisfy the Cat, a.k.a. User-Centered Design

Posted by: Josh Walsh in User Experience.

As a designer of websites, I have to make jolly-well sure that I satisfy the cat first, remember that I’m not a cat, and find ways to play on the cat’s own motivations. Only then does everybody win.

By: John Boykin

Color Contrast in Web Typography

Posted by: Josh Walsh in Design.

Last year I wrote a list of 50 tips for a more user friendly website.  One of these tips has caused controversy off of the blog, as well as prompted a number of emails asking for clarification.

#23 – Use dark gray text instead of black text on a white background;

My intention here was to point out that a subtle lightening of your black text on a white background actually helps improve legibility.    True black text on a true white background is too high of a contrast for everyday reading.  Subtlety is key.

Continue →

Complexity and Simplicity are Perceptions

Posted by: Josh Walsh in User Experience.

User interfaces should present the information needed to accomplish the task at hand. Nothing more, nothing less. Complexity and simplicity are our ways of perceiving how difficult or strenuous a task is going to be.

Compare this IRS form, to a similar TurboTax form:

Continue →