All Writing

2023-01-21

In search of a better Spaced Repetition algorithm

My analysis of what the best SR algorithm may be and how many new learning items should be introduced every day
2023-01-19

Dead simple authentication with Django: Global password, one user, custom usernames

A guide on how to protect a Django webapp with a password while allowing custom user names
2022-10-29

Really old UX research #3: A new look at a forty year old case study (another one for Gould & Lewis, 1985)

Summary, discussion and key facts for the classic User Experience research paper 'Designing for Usability: Key Principles and What Designers Think', Part 3. Discusses the advantages of quick and fundamental prototype iteration.
2022-10-17

Quick reminder that the long-term/short-term memory model is not so black and white (Ericsson & Kintsch, 1995)

Summary of the psychology paper 'Long-Term Working Memory'. Extends the LTM/STM model to include newer research findings.
2022-10-16

Really old UX research #2: A model for usability focused development (Gould & Lewis, 1985)

2022-10-07

Understanding Great Signage #3: Surprising rules for you-are-here maps (Levine, 1982)

Summary of the UX-related research paper 'You-Are-Here Maps: Psychological Considerations'. Describes how to easily design excellent YAH-maps to help people orient themselves and navigate buildings and areas successfully
2022-10-03

The cybernetic self-attention feedback loop (Carver & Scheier, 1981)

Summary of the research paper 'The Self-Attention-Induced Feedback Loop and Social Facilitation'. Discusses how human behavior in social contexts is controlled by two behavior loops.
2022-09-27

Understanding Great Signage #2: A word on architectural legibility (Weisman, 1981)

Summary of the research paper 'Evaluating Architectural Legibility - Way-Finding in the Build Environment'. Strategies to ensure error-free and quick wayfinding for visitors in buildings.
2022-09-21

Where expertise comes from (Ericsson & Charness, 1994)

Summary of the psychology paper 'Expert performance: Its structure and acquisition'. Argues that expert performance is influenced mostly by Deliberate Practice, not talent
2022-09-20

Understanding Great Signage #1: Floor plans, choice points and research validity ( O'Neill, 1991)

Summary of the research paper 'Effects of Signage and Floor Plan Configuration on Wayfinding Accuracy'. Discusses basic theoretical principles of designing signage for wayfinding
2022-09-12

Really old UX research #1: Designing for Usability ( Gould & Lewis, 1985)

Summary, discussion and key facts of the classic User Experience research paper 'Designing for Usability: Key Principles and What Designers Think', Part 1
2022-09-08

What a coach can teach a teacher can teach us (Gallimore & Tharp, 2004)

Summary and key facts from the psychology paper 'What a Coach Can Teach a Teacher, 1975-2004: Reflections and Reanalysis of John Wooden's Teaching Practices'
2022-09-07

What volleyball serves can tell us about becoming an expert (Kitsantas & Zimmerman, 2002)

Summary and key facts from the research paper 'Comparing Self-Regulatory Processes Among Novice, Non-Expert, and Expert Volleyball Players: A Microanalytic Study'
2022-08-10

Beware designer/user preference differences (Bonnardel, Piolat & Le Bigot, 2010)

Summary and key points of the design research paper 'The impact of colour on Website appeal and users' cognitive processes'
2022-08-09

How much time do people spend looking at masterpieces of art? (Smith & Smith, 2001)

My takeaways and learnings from the research paper 'Spending Time on Art'. Discusses how long people stop to look at art in museums and implications
2022-08-06

My 30 year old microwave has near perfect UX

Why old microwave interfaces excel from a user experience standpoint. Advantages of physical interfaces. Complexity and emotional design.