I read a lot of great stuff online and don’t usually have a chance to share it all. Here are some of the highlights from July.

Even the illusion of progress is motivating

The goal-gradient effect says that you will accelerate your behavior as you progress closer to your goal.

Very useful tactic for seductive application design. Even if the user isn’t moving forward, make them think they are and they’ll push onward.

p <= .05 is a convention, not a commandment

A great piece from Jeff Sauro on statistical conclusions validity. Breaks down some of the controversy arising from Jakob Nielsen’s findings on iPad vs Kindle vs printed book reading speed.

Luke’s notes on ‘How the Web Works’

An Event Apart always has a great speaker list and very compelling content. Unfortunately, the presentations are neither transcribed nor recorded; your only option for seeing it is to be there in person.

Thankfully, LukeW takes great notes and posts them online. This presentation was particularly interesting.

See the world through a new lens

Becky Johns recently jumped out of a plane and here she provides great advice on viewing things from other perspectives.