ArcREADY: Reinforcing the Foundations of Solutions Architecture

I went to ArcREADY: Reinforcing the Foundations of Solutions Architecture in Grand Rapids. It was presented by Josh Holmes. Josh presented these ideas by making analogies between software and other products (Wii, Xbox, can openers, Espresso makers etc.)

Here are my main take aways from the presentation:

Steps in architecting the user experience:

• User Interface Design
• User Research
• Design Planning
• Information Design
• Usability Testing

There are 4 concepts to consider when architecting the user experience:

1. Function (works great)
2. Aesthetics (looks great)
3. Interaction (relates to you)
4. Process

There are 3 business principles to consider:

1. What is possible?
2. What is viable?
3. What is desirable to users?

XSLT Tool - Cooktop

I've been using XML Notepad to help view XML files. Unfortunately XML Notepad doesn't have an XSLT editor.

I found a free one today: Cooktop

It worked for what I wanted and it was free. I would like to have one tool for viewing XML files and editing XSLT, but I don't like CookTop's display as well as I like XML Notepad's hierarchical view