Nathaniel Schutta

You know about Extreme Programming, Agile cooperation, and continuous improvement, but did you know you can apply these to UI design? I'll show you how to make your end users happy all the time by applying what you already know about software development to the design and implementation of user interfaces. More and more, developers are being called upon to create user interfaces without designers. Extreme UI Design: The User is Always Right will show you how to use your well-honed programming skills to build measurably effective front ends.

It's all about usability, the software equivalent of flossing; you know you should do it, yet sometimes there just isn't time. For developers, there often isn't money to hire a designer. In tough times, developers who can design become essential, but most software engineers are schooled in algorithms and compilers and rarely in the intricacies of user interaction. This book is for all of you who find yourselves working on the front lines of software development and want to create an application that respects the maxim that all users are right.

• Discover best UI design practices for software engineers.
• Maximize usability right in your code with a few simple tools.
• Write software that works for the user!

What you'll learn

• Distinguish usability myth from reality
• Give users both what they want and what they need (these aren't the same)
• Use your application prototypes as test beds for usability
• Apply rigorous heuristics to measuring UI effectiveness
• See why CRAP is important to creating good interfaces
• Identify and avoid common UI anti-patterns

Who is this book for?

Looking to get an edge in today's workplace? Worried about being downsized? As companies look to cut expenses, the developer who can do more has a better chance of survival. If the UI team gets the axe, can you step in and help run a usability test or whack out a paper-based prototype? After reading this book, you'll be more valuable to your software development organization, you'll have a more complete toolbox, and you'll create applications that don't make your users yack .

This book is primarily aimed at software developers who are tasked with front-end development. Considering that almost all software has some kind of interface, it should appeal to a large audience. Depending on how the book is slanted, it should also interest the agile community.

As a Java developer, you want a guide that shows you how to add Ajax functionality to your web applications with a minimum of effort. Well look no further than Pro Ajax and Java Frameworks. In this book, recognized Java experts and authors of the best-selling Apress title, Foundations of Ajax, will show you how.

The authors begin by recapping Ajax basics. Then they unveil a comprehensive Java/Ajax toolkit. Tools include JSEclipse for code editing, Venkman for JavaScript debugging, and Dojo Compressor for code compression. They also explain Log4js (and other tools) for JavaScript logging, JsUnit (and others) for testing, and various libraries like AjaxTags, DWR, and Script.aculo.us for rapid code development.

The last part of the book shows you how to build up a series of professional Java/Ajax applications. These will incorporate some of todays most popular frameworksSpring, JSF, Struts, and Tapestrygiving you all you need to incorporate Ajax into your everyday work and become an Ajax expert!

The authors begin with a clear explanation of how the Ajax techniques work, presenting the "XMLHttpRequest" object, and outlining how requests to the server are handled. Then they demonstrate the techniques' strengths and weaknesses in a variety of environments, backing up their discussion with a multitude of coding examples and links to existing Ajax applications already on the Web. The authors put it all together and leave you with a solid understanding of how to use this new Ajax approach to its fullest potential.