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

Posted by Zonk on from the make-it-work dept.

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?

2 of 498 comments (clear)

  1. the ninety ten rule by iplayfast · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.

  2. Of course it should just work. by MadTinfoilHatter · · Score: 5, Funny

    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]