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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. Re:Fine, not lazy by drinkypoo · · Score: 4, Informative
    But taxis and buses don't damage the roadways and the other vehicles on it during ordinary use.

    Au contraire! A bus does more damage when it runs across a roadway than would a line of cars with the same seating capacity because a larger amount of weight is put on the four (or perhaps six wheels - either double-axle or dual-wheel in the rear) wheels than from any car.

    This is the reason why we have laws that say that vehicles over certain weights may not travel through certain neighborhoods except to make a delivery, and why you are supposed to need a commercial license to drive a vehicle over a certain weight. Of course, we don't actually enforce these laws because it means some rich people in LA and SF wouldn't be able to drive their Hummer home...

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  2. Garbage In, Garbage Out by flaming+error · · Score: 5, Informative

    I'm the lead software developer on critical carrier infrastructure software. I get vague market requirements, no spec, and despite repeated requests my company won't send me to customer sites to see how they use the software. Most input from the field is not forwarded to me. I deliver a product I'm reasonably proud of, but whether it's what customers want, I couldn't say. If it's not, don't blame me.