14 DAY TRIAL // The Windows Vista User Experience has updated guidelines available for download. Microsoft has revamped the Windows Vista UX Guide in December 2006, but the new version brings to the table new guidelines that have been posted to MSDN. "The following new guidelines have been published since our December 2006 update: Toolbars, Warnings, Confirmations, Icons, Sound, Software and Branding. We have also updated our downloadable, printable PDF version of UX Guide," revealed a program manager on the Windows User Experience Compliance team.
According to the Redmond Company, the documentation available for the Vista UX will continue to be updated. However, the purpose of the guidelines is to "establish a high quality and consistency baseline for all Windows Vista-based applications".
The Windows Vista User Experience Guide will answer a variety of user questions related to the operating system. In this regard, the guidelines will deliver insight on the new core user interface features introduced with Windows Vista. Developers will be instructed on how to implement the UI changes in their designs.
Microsoft also delivers a set of rules for Windows Vista UI designs. The creation of Vista user interfaces should be based on consistency and high-quality, according to Microsoft's own rules. In this context, the Redmond Company has also produced a list of the top guidelines violations summarizing the most common mistakes identified by the Windows Vista design team. And in the end, Microsoft offers an overview illustrating how developers can benefit from the advantages delivered by Windows Presentation Foundation.
The Windows Vista UX Guide is now available even in PDF format.