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Rating: 
Summary: very good introduction
Review: In my opinion, this book is a great introduction to the field of ergonomics and human factors. Though it is indeed a bit older, all necessary fields are covered with great diligence (Information inout & processing, human output & control, workplace design, environmental conditions & human factors applications). Of course the passages concerning VDUs and computers are outdated, but these passages comprise only a very small part of the book (and, to be honest, if I want to read about these topics I would pick different books anyway!). The authors write in a very comprehensible way and many examples and pictures underline the usability of the book. To summarize, a book that is outdated concerning the most recent computer technologies (VDU etc.), but a great introduction containing everything necessary to human factors and design (and these sections are NOT outdated, as the reader before says very poignantly: "Computers may change, people DON'T change that easily).
Rating:
Summary: very good introduction
Review: In my opinion, this book is a great introduction to the field of ergonomics and human factors. Though it is indeed a bit older, all necessary fields are covered with great diligence (Information inout & processing, human output & control, workplace design, environmental conditions & human factors applications). Of course the passages concerning VDUs and computers are outdated, but these passages comprise only a very small part of the book (and, to be honest, if I want to read about these topics I would pick different books anyway!). The authors write in a very comprehensible way and many examples and pictures underline the usability of the book. To summarize, a book that is outdated concerning the most recent computer technologies (VDU etc.), but a great introduction containing everything necessary to human factors and design (and these sections are NOT outdated, as the reader before says very poignantly: "Computers may change, people DON'T change that easily).
Rating: 
Summary: Good information, but very detailed and out of date
Review: Overall I found this book to provide a myriad of information. I was excited about office design and all of the aspects concerning this area. In many regards the book is out of date - computers, especially. But the concepts of chair design were particularly well presented. Much of the information was very detailed - noise, illumination, displays. I was, however, impressed with the amount of research the authors did by the way they cited the vast amount of research in each of the various sections. Also, they did keep their sense of humor and acknowledged the real world in their analysis.
Rating:
Summary: Good information, but very detailed and out of date
Review: Overall I found this book to provide a myriad of information. I was excited about office design and all of the aspects concerning this area. In many regards the book is out of date - computers, especially. But the concepts of chair design were particularly well presented. Much of the information was very detailed - noise, illumination, displays. I was, however, impressed with the amount of research the authors did by the way they cited the vast amount of research in each of the various sections. Also, they did keep their sense of humor and acknowledged the real world in their analysis.
Rating: 
Summary: This book is outdated.
Review: The book discusses many topics that are no longer relevant or are outdated (i.e. their discussion of data entry input [control] devices and VDT screens). When this book was first published, it was more than likely current, but a book of this nature loses its value as quickly as the devices it is written about.
Rating: 
Summary: It does not seem as relavant today, but still has sound idea
Review: The book does not depict enough information about computers in todays changing world. For the Price of the book, It is most likely a regret. But the basic and indepth ideas are worth every penny.
Rating: 
Summary: Great beginners manual for breadth of Human Factors
Review: This book is an excellent beginner's manual for Human Factors. It is used in several college's Human Factor's initial courses.The topics it covers are the basic "physical" human factors topics. There is breadth but not depth. However it does not do much with UI design. There is nothing on Web design or computer station design. This book's data is limited to examples that illustrate various points in the book. If you need detailed anthropometric data or workspace recoommendations you won't find it here. Alan Cooper's book About face can help you with the UI part. Jakob Nielson's Web Usability or Steve Krug's Don't make me think book can give you information on Web design. Woodson's Human Factors Design Handbook can help you with the computer station part. At lot of money for just this though. If you need detailed anthropmetric date, the sources I am most familiar with are: Human Factors Design Handbook by Woodson(though it is a biased sample, if this is all you can get it is better than nothing) Woodson's newer book (2nd edition) gives computer station information, but is pricey for just this. The measure of Man and Woman by Henry Dreyfuss and Associates (dated in 1970s) BodySpace by Stephen Pheasant (in metric) International data on Anthropometry by Hans W. Jurgens (gives you some international data found nowhere else). Another thing that may help you is the table of contents: Table of Contents: PART 1: INTRODUCTION 1. Human Factors and Systems 2. Human Factors Research Methodologies Part 2: INFORMATION INPUT 3. Information Input and Processing 4. Text, Graphics, Symbols and Codes 5. Visual Display of Dynamic Information 6. Auditory, Tactual and Olfactory Displays 7. Speech Communications PART 3: HUMAN OUTPUT AND CONTROL 8. Physical Work and Manual Materials Handling 9. Motor Skills 10. Human Control of systems 11. Controls and Data Entry devices 12. Hand tools and devices PART 4: WORKPLACE DESIGN 13. Applied Anthropometry, Work-space design and Seating 14. Arrangement of Components within a Physical Space 15. Interpersonal Aspects of Workplace Design PART 5: ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 16. Illumination 17. Climate 18. Noise 19. Motion PART 6: HUMAN FACTORS APPLICATIONS 20. Human Error, Accidents and Safety 21. Human Factors and the Automobile 22. Human Factors in Systems design APPENDICES A. List of Abbreviations B. Control Devices C. NIOSH Recommended Action Limit Formula for Lifting Tasks
Rating:
Summary: Great beginners manual for breadth of Human Factors
Review: This book is an excellent beginner's manual for Human Factors. It is used in several college's Human Factor's initial courses. The topics it covers are the basic "physical" human factors topics. There is breadth but not depth. However it does not do much with UI design. There is nothing on Web design or computer station design. This book's data is limited to examples that illustrate various points in the book. If you need detailed anthropometric data or workspace recoommendations you won't find it here. Alan Cooper's book About face can help you with the UI part. Jakob Nielson's Web Usability or Steve Krug's Don't make me think book can give you information on Web design. Woodson's Human Factors Design Handbook can help you with the computer station part. At lot of money for just this though. If you need detailed anthropmetric date, the sources I am most familiar with are: Human Factors Design Handbook by Woodson(though it is a biased sample, if this is all you can get it is better than nothing) Woodson's newer book (2nd edition) gives computer station information, but is pricey for just this. The measure of Man and Woman by Henry Dreyfuss and Associates (dated in 1970s) BodySpace by Stephen Pheasant (in metric) International data on Anthropometry by Hans W. Jurgens (gives you some international data found nowhere else). Another thing that may help you is the table of contents: Table of Contents: PART 1: INTRODUCTION 1. Human Factors and Systems 2. Human Factors Research Methodologies Part 2: INFORMATION INPUT 3. Information Input and Processing 4. Text, Graphics, Symbols and Codes 5. Visual Display of Dynamic Information 6. Auditory, Tactual and Olfactory Displays 7. Speech Communications PART 3: HUMAN OUTPUT AND CONTROL 8. Physical Work and Manual Materials Handling 9. Motor Skills 10. Human Control of systems 11. Controls and Data Entry devices 12. Hand tools and devices PART 4: WORKPLACE DESIGN 13. Applied Anthropometry, Work-space design and Seating 14. Arrangement of Components within a Physical Space 15. Interpersonal Aspects of Workplace Design PART 5: ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 16. Illumination 17. Climate 18. Noise 19. Motion PART 6: HUMAN FACTORS APPLICATIONS 20. Human Error, Accidents and Safety 21. Human Factors and the Automobile 22. Human Factors in Systems design APPENDICES A. List of Abbreviations B. Control Devices C. NIOSH Recommended Action Limit Formula for Lifting Tasks
Rating:
Summary: Depends on your need!
Review: This is a terrific text for an INTRODUCTION into the world of human factors and ergonomics, especially at the undergraduate level. It covers a wide range of topics, some (I grant) a bit out of date, but useful nonetheless. A previous reviewer mentions the content being out-of-date. I partially agree. BUT, for the most part, PEOPLE have not changed in many many years, so chapters dealing with human capabilities and limitations are still accurate, making it a good general resource. It's biggest shortcoming is lack of human-computer interaction material. Otherwise a very worthwhile investment for those interested in the field of human factors as a whole.
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