Don't Make Me Think Review

The novel "Don't Make Me Think" was designed to help people learn and think about ways to make websites more usable and appealing to the users they are trying to appeal to. I would argue, this book is very successful in explaining different concepts that demonstrate how to make websites more beneficial to the user, which in return, will make it more beneficial to the creator. 

One big concept mentioned in the book "Don't Make Me Think" that I highly agree with is the idea of a mindless choice found in chapter four. Basically, the idea argues that a choice that almost requires no thought to answer the question correctly is the preferred option by people. When relating this concept to a website, it means that people will prefer the websites that direct them to the information they are looking for with minimal effort. This is very true considering there are several websites that contain the information people seek. Therefore, people will just resort to the websites that require them to obtain the information they need with as little effort as possible.  

Often, people think it is the number of clicks that determine whether or not a website is effective or not. I personally thought this was the case at first. However, after reading "Don't Make Me Think" my mind has changed and I agree that it’s the amount of effort a person has to make that determines whether or not a website is efficient or not. How hard each click is, is far more important than the amount of clicks a person makes. For example, if a website clearly maps out to its users where they need to click to obtain the information they are looking for, this is more effective than the amount of clicks it takes to get there.  

The author uses the example of him trying to read an article on a website. Before being able to read the article, the he is presented with three options right away. The layout of the options and the way they were presented to him is extremely disorderly and not effective to the point where he does not want to read the article anymore. However, had the website chosen a different approach such as using the approach the NY Times website used, the author more than likely would have continued to pursue the article. All the information being presented to the user at once in the first article is very overwhelming and confusing. In this case, it was more effective that the NY Times website organized the information with links forcing the user to click in order to get the information they need. 

While there were many other topics regarding effective websites in this book, I would argue the point about clicking is the most important. As stated by the author, "Users don't mind a lot of clicks as long as each click is painless and they have continued confidence that they are on the right track." This is something that all people who wish to make websites keep in mind.  

Tutting

A type of dance move that is very popular in the world of Hip-Hop is called Tutting. Tutting is a street dance and one of the original funk styles that came from California during the late 1960s–1970s. Arms and hands are what are mostly used when performing a Tutting dance move. The choreography for the arms and hands are derived from the positions people were drawn in the days of the Ancient Egyptians. Therefore, a Tutting dance move should be very similar to the dance positions found in the Egyptian culture. Hence, why it is called "Tutting".
During one of the Hip-Hop dance classes that I attended, I was taught a short Tutting combination. My legs remained in place, while my arms and hands did all of the moving. I started off in a "base" position with both my arms flat out in front of me and ended with both arms extended out to my side. In the photo below, the positions I performed in this combination started with the photo on the top left and ended with the photo on the bottom right.  

Hip-Hop- Panda

Another style of dance that is taught at IndepenDance studio is Hip-Hop, which is my favorite style of dance. Hip-hop dance refers to street dance styles primarily performed to hip-hop music or that have evolved as part of hip-hop culture. It includes a wide range of styles primarily breaking, locking, and popping which were created in the 1970s and made popular by dance crews in the United States. The reason why Hip-Hop is my favorite style of dance is because it is very fast paced, high energy, it's so much fun, and it hypes up an audience. 
One week I was taught a Hip-Hop dance to the song Panda by Desgiiner. This dance consists of fast hand, arm, and leg movements that match the beat of the music. This particular dance that I learned was copied from a YouTube music video that went viral because of how interesting, complex, and captivating the choreography is. In the photo featured I'm, alongside my fellow dancer and friend Casey, swinging my arms forwards while my body is being thrown backwards. This is a very typical step you will see in a Hip-Hop dance.

Jazz-Light it Up

One of the many styles of dance that I perform is Jazz. This style of dance is very hard to define because it entails many different styles of dance composed into one. The definition for Jazz dance is "an umbrella term that can refer to several related dance styles. All of them are connected via common roots, namely tap, ballet, jazz music, and African-American rhythms and dance." In a typical Jazz dance class I learn basic dance technique such as Passe turns, Russian leaps, and a short choreographed dance combination.
In one of the dance classes that I attended, I was taught a short dance combination to the song Light it Up by Major Lazer. This dance consists of high kicks, turns, and basic dance steps such as a Pas de Bourree. It is a fast paced, high energy dance. Personally, it is one of the funnest dances I have ever been taught. Below is a picture of me doing a high kick from the dance.

Why I Dance

When I am passionate about something I pursue it. A piece of my soul has always told me that dancing is something that I am meant to do. When I'm dancing my heart fells happy and full. Dance is one of the few things in my life that I know will always be there for me. When I am down from all the stress of life, dance relieves me. It really doesn't matter where I am dancing. I can be at my dance class, on stage, at a party, or in my bed room, if I'm dancing I am happy. I will admit right now that I am not the best dancer ever but that doesn't matter to me at all. A quote from one of my idols Martha Graham says, "Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion." This quote inspires me every moment I dance and pushes me to dance with all of my heart. 

For this blog, I decided to post about all of my adventures in dance. I dance with a company called IndepenDance studio here in Gainesville and I attend dance classes there regularly. Most of what I post on this blog will be from my classes at IndepenDance but I'll throw in something a little different every now and then. I hope you enjoy my blog and understand through my posts why dancing is something I can't live without.