J
Jeff Liebermann
Guest
On Sun, 31 Mar 2013 12:54:48 -0700 (PDT), mpm <mpmillard@aol.com>
wrote:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Common_User_Access>
In the daze of the early PC word processors, there was quite a battle
between the various types of interfaces. Each had its advantages and
supporters. Moving a user from one style of interface was difficult
or impossible.
Oddly, I've accidentally become a fan of the "function key" interface,
which actually is a geographic interface, in that the buttons don't
move (much) on the keyboard or desktop. As long as the icon on the
screen remains in its usual position, I can locate it by position,
without looking at the graphics or legend. Dragged to its extreme,
here's my current desktop:
<http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/crud/desktop.jpg> (340KB)
The problem is that a "flat" user interface, with few sub-menus and
secret compartments tends to overwhelm the beginning users. Excessive
personalization, such as my desktop, will also intimidate even
experienced users. In short, any good user interface concept, dragged
to its extreme, will irritate at least some users.
The trick is to device an interface that meets the basic requirements,
while not favoring any particular style or flavor. Another major
requirement is the user interface sells the product an acts as a form
of advertising, art, and promotion. Somewhere down the list is ease
of learning and operation.
The problem is that any good idea can be overdone. I have two of
these:
<http://boingboing.net/2009/11/10/the-original-40-butt.html>
Putting 3 buttons on a mouse is a good idea. 40 buttons is not.
you have learned and used in the past. You're complaining because you
have invested your time and expended effort in learning the old user
interface, and must now repeat the ordeal with the new interface. I
can only offer you my sympathies and suggest you muddle forward, since
there's no turning back. One must suffer before enlightenment. If it
makes you feel any better, I get the same complaints from my friends
and customers[1].
predictable. All technical features and diagnostics were immediately
removed. Bugs and stability problems were either intentionally or
accidentally introduced to inspire users to upgrade. Useless features
were added to give the impression of progress and development. Ties
to MS Office products are starting to appear.
In general, what we're seeing is feature bloat in action. The reason
is that features and functions are what sell a product, while bug
fixes, minor speed improvements, and simplified interfaces do not sell
well. Features and functions also get added faster than bugs get
fixed, inevitably resulting in a bloated product, that's full of bugs.
The battle for the user interface will continue for quite some time.
There's plenty things that can be done with a pointer and a 2D flat
screen left to try. Some experiments will be accepted, but most will
fail. Devising a common interface between a pad computer, laptop, and
a desktop seems to be the current challenge, as in Microsoft Metro.
Don't be surprised if the user interfaces change again to accommodate
finger pointing, speech control, and video driven gesture control.
Incidentally, you didn't complain about the creative and often odd
naming of features and functions across products by various vendors.
Is it a folder or a sub-directory? I need a magic decoder ring to
move between Apple, Linux, and Windoze, as well as various
applications. The move to monopolize common metaphors is quite
intentional, as users do not want to massively expand their vocabulary
with duplicated metaphors. Once they learn the vocabulary of one
product, they are unlikely to find a competing product easy to learn.
In some cases, the choice of words may seem bizarre, but if translated
into foreign idiomatic speech, it makes good sense. Welcome to
internationalization.
So many things to rant about. So little time.
[1] Customers pay me, friends do not. Otherwise, they're the same.
--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
wrote:
IBM mostly with backing from other vendors.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Common_User_Access>
In the daze of the early PC word processors, there was quite a battle
between the various types of interfaces. Each had its advantages and
supporters. Moving a user from one style of interface was difficult
or impossible.
Oddly, I've accidentally become a fan of the "function key" interface,
which actually is a geographic interface, in that the buttons don't
move (much) on the keyboard or desktop. As long as the icon on the
screen remains in its usual position, I can locate it by position,
without looking at the graphics or legend. Dragged to its extreme,
here's my current desktop:
<http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/crud/desktop.jpg> (340KB)
The problem is that a "flat" user interface, with few sub-menus and
secret compartments tends to overwhelm the beginning users. Excessive
personalization, such as my desktop, will also intimidate even
experienced users. In short, any good user interface concept, dragged
to its extreme, will irritate at least some users.
The trick is to device an interface that meets the basic requirements,
while not favoring any particular style or flavor. Another major
requirement is the user interface sells the product an acts as a form
of advertising, art, and promotion. Somewhere down the list is ease
of learning and operation.
The problem is that any good idea can be overdone. I have two of
these:
<http://boingboing.net/2009/11/10/the-original-40-butt.html>
Putting 3 buttons on a mouse is a good idea. 40 buttons is not.
You're complaining because the new interface doesn't conform to what
you have learned and used in the past. You're complaining because you
have invested your time and expended effort in learning the old user
interface, and must now repeat the ordeal with the new interface. I
can only offer you my sympathies and suggest you muddle forward, since
there's no turning back. One must suffer before enlightenment. If it
makes you feel any better, I get the same complaints from my friends
and customers[1].
When Microsloth took over Skype, the effects on the software was
predictable. All technical features and diagnostics were immediately
removed. Bugs and stability problems were either intentionally or
accidentally introduced to inspire users to upgrade. Useless features
were added to give the impression of progress and development. Ties
to MS Office products are starting to appear.
In general, what we're seeing is feature bloat in action. The reason
is that features and functions are what sell a product, while bug
fixes, minor speed improvements, and simplified interfaces do not sell
well. Features and functions also get added faster than bugs get
fixed, inevitably resulting in a bloated product, that's full of bugs.
The battle for the user interface will continue for quite some time.
There's plenty things that can be done with a pointer and a 2D flat
screen left to try. Some experiments will be accepted, but most will
fail. Devising a common interface between a pad computer, laptop, and
a desktop seems to be the current challenge, as in Microsoft Metro.
Don't be surprised if the user interfaces change again to accommodate
finger pointing, speech control, and video driven gesture control.
Incidentally, you didn't complain about the creative and often odd
naming of features and functions across products by various vendors.
Is it a folder or a sub-directory? I need a magic decoder ring to
move between Apple, Linux, and Windoze, as well as various
applications. The move to monopolize common metaphors is quite
intentional, as users do not want to massively expand their vocabulary
with duplicated metaphors. Once they learn the vocabulary of one
product, they are unlikely to find a competing product easy to learn.
In some cases, the choice of words may seem bizarre, but if translated
into foreign idiomatic speech, it makes good sense. Welcome to
internationalization.
So many things to rant about. So little time.
[1] Customers pay me, friends do not. Otherwise, they're the same.
--
Jeff Liebermann jeffl@cruzio.com
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558
