Gooey G.U.I.

I found an interesting concept for “The Next User Interface”, over at http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/10/13/10gui-one-very-slick-desktop-multi-touch-concept-video/” target=”_blank”>TechCrunch, called http://10gui.com/video/” target=”_blank”>CON10UUM.

What I like about it is that from start to finish, they have sculpted a new method of interaction with our machines. It’s a pity that we are so attached to our keyboards, but for the moment doing without them is probably too big of a change for anyone to take too seriously. While we continue to depend on the written word for most of our computer based business interactions we can’t do away with them yet, although voice recognition is the next logical replacement it’s not quite there yet (apparantly).

CON10UUM is certainly food for thought and there are products out there that already perform similar tasks (http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/features.html#trackpad” target=”_blank”>Mac touchpads, http://www.wacom.com/bamboo/bamboo_touch.php” target=”_blank”>Wacom Bamboo Touch) but they really only add a thin set of commands to the existing U.I.s that we already use.

Involve the client

I was talking to one of my developers a few days ago, about how I like to demonstrate completion of The Design Phase.

Having a face to face discussion about the project’s design is a good way to start, but having an interactive presentation (model) to help them “feel” their product is orders of magnitude better. When it’s interactive the client is engaged with the product early and is able to experience their product prior to development. This way I can quickly and simply prove that I was listening when they were telling me what they wanted (during the Requirements Phase).

And with a model of version (n) in front of them, the client can begin to think clearly about version (n+1).

Because everyone in this industry knows; A requirements document is never a perfect description of what the client wants, it’s the best version this time around.