Why Software Sucks, And Can Something Be Done About It?

CPNABEND tipped us to a story carried on the Fox News site, pointing out that a lot of programmers don't understand their users. David Platt, author of the new book 'Why Software Sucks ... And What You Can Do About It', looks at the end user experience with end user eyes. While technically inclined individuals tend to want control, Platt argues, most people just want something that works. On the other hand, the article also cites David Thomas, executive director of the Software & Information Industry Association. His opinion: Users don't know what they want. From the article: "'You don't want your customers to design your product,' he said. 'They're really bad at it.' As more and more software becomes Internet-based, he said, companies can more easily monitor their users' experiences and improve their programs with frequent updates. They have a financial incentive to do so, since more consumer traffic results in higher subscription or advertising revenues." Where does your opinion lay? Should software 'just work', or are users too lazy?

Comments

the ninety ten rule

[iplayfast]

Ninety percent of your users will not have an opinion about your software.
Ninety percent of the users who have an opinion, will have a misconception about what the software is supposed to do.
Ninety percent of the users who understand what the software was supposed to do, will have a preconceived idea on how it should work based on their experiences with your competitors.
The final 10% of the people who have an opinion, have no misconceptions about the software, and have no preconceived idea, will have useful input.

Unfortunately 90% of those people are idiots.

Of course it should just work.

[MadTinfoilHatter]

On a completely different note, I just bought a guitar, but I'm going to return it because I think it should just produce the music I want to hear when I hammer at it like a retarded orangutang. Someone told me that I'd have to take the time to learn stuff like "notes" and "rhythm" and who-knows-what. That person obviously just doesn't know how to make a guitar. [/sarcasm]

Better analogy

[Quiet_Desperation]

It's more like buying a new "upgraded" guitar, and in order to hit any flats or sharps, you have to open a small panel on the back and hold down a button. Oh, and replacing a broken string may lead to complete inoperability.

Re:This is just a little bit crazy.

[Quiet_Desperation]

This is a horrible analogy: the last time I checked, turning a key didn't do something as devestating as, say, deleting your car.

Well, outside of organized crime, anyway.

Tends to delete the user as well.

Re:About your numbers . . . .

[iplayfast]

I'm glad I don't work for you too.

Re:one example of too many

[ObsessiveMathsFreak]

The computer illiterate are quickly becoming an oddity, a special niche in usability design. There's really no need to consider them anymore unless you have a special reason to.

Considering most Slashdotter are related to at least one such person in their immediate and extended families, your point is summarily rejected by the collective Slashmind.

Re:one example of too many

[kubalaa]

how difficult it was for them to understand that, when their Word document disappeared from the screen when they minimized the window, it did not also disappear from "the computer" I'm skeptical. Did these people also think that all the little people in their TV die when they turn it off?

Re:Fine, not lazy

[DudeTheMath]

Actually, there was a recent foofaraw here in sunny Florida (82 degrees F on January 6! Blech!) regarding vehicles over a certain weight requiring a class-E (or whatever) license, some sort of commercial license, requiring knowledge of towing limits, how to lay out your flares when you break down, etc.--and the weight limit was exceeded by a number of vehicles that an ordinary Joe could buy at any dealership (I think the F-350 was among them, some of the "crew cab" trucks, etc.). I believe the law has now been amended, but as I drive a four-cylinder sedan getting something north of 30mpg, I don't give a rat's ass.