tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579772240267288367.post2879188380670348992..comments2023-06-05T08:45:12.716-04:00Comments on kwblog: Theory of Software UsabilityKevin Berridgehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13759114853595462455noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579772240267288367.post-2299258275662428002007-08-23T10:08:00.000-04:002007-08-23T10:08:00.000-04:00I wouldn't disagree that you want a mix. Clearly ...I wouldn't disagree that you want a mix. Clearly the best software is the software that is Easy to Use and Easy to Learn.<BR/><BR/>But because Ease of Learning and Ease of Use can sometimes be in opposition to each other, you have to figure out which way your balance needs to lean for your specific case.Kevin Berridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13759114853595462455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6579772240267288367.post-45352151792980184712007-08-23T09:25:00.000-04:002007-08-23T09:25:00.000-04:00I think i only slightly disagree with your second ...I think i only slightly disagree with your second to last statement. <BR/><BR/>In our environment we have a highly controled atmosphere where people to a variety of tasks but they are basically all the same day in and day out. <BR/><BR/>We design our applications for easy of use but certinly not ease of learning. There are advanced ways to do things (keyboard shortcuts, better ways to navigate, etc.) however we have a delima. We can provide training, but training is an inherantly expensive proposition. We have to put 20-30 new reps in a room for 2 weeks, paying them full salary, and then still provide some on site assistance while they manage their relativley busy job. <BR/><BR/>We want to provide a good mix of both. Now, i realize im a mac zelot but i'm going to use OSX as an example of this. <BR/><BR/>If you sit someone with low skill in computers down in front of a mac and ask them to accomplish a set list of tasks you probably have to help them a little bit, but they will ultimatley figure out the basics. Its not hard to know mail opens your email, and address book is... well... and address book. However some tasks might be a bit tricky (why the hell did apple break that convention and call their browser safari instead of like, internet, or browser).<BR/><BR/>If you sit a power user in front of osx and ask them to accomplish tasks they can find 20 ways to go about it. I could open it like the normal person, open it through the applications folder, hell i could open terminal and type mail.app. <BR/><BR/>The OS has a good mix of ease of use and ease of learning. I think that's what you want to shoot for even in highly controlled environments.Josh Schrammhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04179432092617833919noreply@blogger.com