Microsoft Windows User Experience

Official Guidelines for User Interface Developers and DesignersHere are the revised and updated, official Microsoft® guidelines for creating well-designed, visually and functionally consistent user interfaces for applications that run on the Microsoft Windows® family of operating systems, including Windows 98 and Windows 2000. MICROSOFT® WINDOWS® USER EXPERIENCE is an essential handbook for all programmers and designers who work with the latest releases of Windows and Microsoft Internet Explorer. Topics covered include:• Visual design—effective use of color, layout, fonts, and graphics, including hyperlinks• Menus, controls, and toolbars—types, their components, and when to use them• Integration with the operating system—designing software so that its interface operates consistently with Windows and Internet Explorer• User assistance—how to use contextual forms of help, including tips, wizards, and HTML help• General input techniques—navigation, selection, viewing, editing, and creation, including both command and direct manipulation methods such as drag-and-drop• Windows—primary and secondary types and their components, including property sheets, dialog boxes, message boxes, palette windows, and pop-up windows• Activation—how to support design interfaces for linking and embedding, visual editing, and other forms of activation