Developing User Interfaces for Microsoft Windows

In its exploration of designing software for beginning and advanced users, the book advises against creating software tailored for specialized roles (a preference that arguably shows the book's interest in "shrink-wrapped" software, since business applications routinely require distinct modules for different types of users). Software is categorized into applications and utilities, with visual design guidelines for each. (This book doesn't avoid controversy here by arguing against both user-driven design and prototyping within the project life cycle.) Further chapters look at what UI features should be readily visible to users, and which ones (like unnecessary error messages) should be removed.

In one notable section, new ideas in UI design based on today's Web sites are presented. (HTML changes the rules for Windows desktop users too.) Readers also get a laundry list of features that work, such as direct manipulation, good configurability, previews, and tooltips. There's advice on help and documentation and an excellent section on creating more effective (and simpler) setup programs. In all, this book can be read profitably by any Windows developer using C . It provides a solid checklist for thinking about user interface design on the Windows platform. --Richard Dragan