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Donald Norman On Software And Other Things

Posted by timothy on from the depends-whose-version-of-easy dept.

small but... writes "New Scientist has published an interview with Donald Norman in which Norman comments on open source (disparagingly), usability (of course), machine 'emotion' (Ha!), and security (Breaking news: social engineering still #1 risk)."

1 of 256 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Door Handles?! by scottme · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Donald Norman used to talk sense - The Psychology of Everyday Things was and is a classic, but I simply don't understand how the same man can come up with such gratuitous falsehoods as his swipe at our great British doorhandles.

    If there is any design flaw in this instance it clearly lies in the sleeve, not in the handle, as any fool can see. Plus there are plenty ways to design lever-type doorhandles that will not catch ill-fitting clothing.

    American faucets? Surely he can't be serious in holding them up as exemplary? I well remember the first time I came across one of those vile, pull to open, push to close, twist to control the temperature shower controls. The cheesy faceted acrylic and gold-effect "plating" only served to reinforce my disgust.

    Perhaps the young Donald had an equally unfortunate encounter with a doorhandle in his formative years?