Cross borwser compatiblity - some facts for web developer

I just came across some interesting facts for a web developer.

Internet Explorer(both IE 6 & IE 7) is being used by around 65% of the users, Where as firefox is being used by around 25% of the users, and the remaining percentage goes to browsers like Safari, opera....
So if you are a web developer you should be aware of these facts and the application you develop should atleast support IE and Firefox. You should test your application for these two major browsers which takes up 90% of the market.

And when we look at the Operating Systems usage, Windows dominates the market with around 95% of the users, remianing 5% is being shared by Mac and Linux. So it is not a harm if you neglect the testing for mac and linux.

When we look at the screen resolutions being used, 1024 x 768 takes up 50% of the users and the remaining percentage covers all other resolutions. So the application you develop should look good in all the screen resolutions.

For more precise stastical data look here

Developing a good application - part2

Every projet has its analysis phase which is crucial for its success. All the various possiblities has to analysed in this phase. From my experience i have put in few steps for designing a good usable software
1. Find out some real time users:
To kick start the project first find out real time users. They are the guys who is going to experience your product.
2. Figure out all the important activities:
Once you are done with the earlier step, figure out all the activities that needs to be performed in this analysis phase.
3. Figure out user model:
Collect all the services they expect from your product, from the user. An user model can simply be described as "The expectation for the software".
4. Sketch the first draft of the design:
Once you examine the user model, just create a rough draft of your product.
5. Iterate your design:
Do iterations of your design based on the user model. Create a design that would fit the user model.

Once you are done with the above steps you can start your program model i.e the way you program the software.

Test with real time users:
After the application is created, make the real time users test your application. Note the area where the users find it tough to use your system. Users will face a problem when they find program model not equal to user model

Developing a good application - part1

These days we get to see more and more web applications showing its face. Everyone speak about web2.0. Web applications are moving from a traditional page by page navigation to single page.Unlike olden days where the application doesn't care about users,usablity, etc...these days the developers are more concerned about the user satisfaction, user experience...Every developer bound to discuss about the best way to develop an application.
I have just made a small research on this. I put in few details on this

1. For any application, be careful of first time users.
2. Don't make them get stuck while experiencing your application.
3. Make simple interactions.
4. Help them with a step by step information.
5. Use Activity based planning
6. List down all the possible feature list
7. Decide what to be done and what not