KISS
Shorthand for Keep It Simple, Stupid, KISS is a well known principle for reminding people and companies to keep their information and products simple. Computer Hope always tries to
adhere to the KISS principle. Below are some general KISS principles to follow
when designing a website, software program, or other product.
Applying KISS to a web site
- Keep your layout clean, consistent, easy to read, and easy navigate for all types of visitors.
- Don't overload the website with images, Flash, and other distractions.
- All primary content should be on the first page. Avoid any vertical scroll to see primary content and never make the user scroll horizontally.
- Break up text. All text everywhere on web site should be broken into easy to read paragraphs and sections.
- Make the primary sections of your website and search easily accessible with a navigation bar or links on each of the pages.
- Additional tips and secrets for promoting your web page and blog.
Applying KISS to software programming
- Comment code and keep it simple. Obfuscated code or condensed code makes it difficult to read, understand, and troubleshoot.
- Properly format and indent your code.
- Avoid Spaghetti code.
- Break up the common problems or tasks into classes or subroutines.
- Avoid overcomplicating a problem. Some of the best algorithms and code is short, simple, and easy to understand.
Applying KISS to a product
- Less is more. Don't overcomplicate your product with more buttons, switches, or other options.
- Solve the most important problem in the simplest way.
- How your product solves a problem should not be more complex than the original problem.
- Your product should be usable by all types of people, especially the people you hope will use the product.
Also see: Chat definitions, Mwah