: A usability testing app that utilizes the Macbook’s built-in camera (not available for non-Mac PCs) and mic for gathering testing feedback. It doesn’t eye-track, but it does record the user’s face and voice and tracks the mouse and other screen activity (tabbing, keyboard use, etc.). : http://silverbackapp.com/

Paper prototyping is a key component of the user-centered design (UCD) process and is a popular method among designers. The characteristics of paper prototyping lends itself to the iterative approach that is so valuable in the UCD process

: When thinking about a consumer app that everyone can relate to, and which employs a multi-device strategy, one company comes to mind. Netflix. : http://www.merhl.com/?p=446

: This article explains the most common table UI patterns. Each pattern has a description and an example. : http://www.jankoatwarpspeed.com/post/2010/02/26/table-ui-patterns.aspx

: GazeHawk provides eye tracking services using ordinary webcams, eliminating the need to purchase expensive hardware. They even obtain study participants for you – studies cost less than $50 per user. : http://www.gazehawk.com/

: The Endeca User Interface Design Pattern Library (UIDPL) describes principled ways to solve common user interface design problems related to search, faceted navigation, and discovery. : http://patterns.endeca.com/content/library/en/home.html

Usability testing, though incredibly useful, is not without its own hitches. Author and self-described “usability geek” Jacob Creech walks through the most common issues and how to avoid them.

: Creativity can strike at any moment. Make the most of the moment by running with it. Do not ponder around, later attempting to force yourself into being creative. No matter what it simply will not work. : http://www.shayhowe.com/opinions/are-you-forcing-creativity/

: On a recent airplane flight, I happened to catch the movie Groundhog Day. Again. : http://www.codinghorror.com/blog/2010/07/groundhog-day-or-the-problem-with-ab-testing.html

: SlideShare’s ‘Seductive Interactions: An Art & Science’ is an engaging presentation of 175 clicks that is worth jumping around in. I found click 85, most valuable – its title: “What Do We Know About People”. Find out what they listed and the ux take. : http://fluid-ui.com/blog/2010/01/seductive-interactions/