Worst part of it all? It turns out that there's a very significant percentage of a post-industrialized nation's population for whom double clicking with the mouse is a very difficult task, mainly because _dragging_ and _single clicking_ are very similar to double clicking. Those people do far better with a typewriter-like interface, because they've damn well used typewriters in the past (because it used to be part of basic schooling). They're perfectly OK with typing "oowriter" on a command line. Now they can't, because pointing and drooling is the Officially Dominant Interaction Style.
This is highly true, at least among my family members. I don't even want to think about the legions of people out there convinced they're "bad at computers" because they don't have the dexterity, muscle memory, whatever, to double-click or hunt down icons and menu items.
I would actually say that, because I'm a verbal person. I've met others too who have trouble with GUIs because they don't think in a visual way, although I do believe most computer users find it more "natural."
I'm hesitant, though, to use words like "natural" or "intuitive" in describing something as wholly synthetic as the interfaces of computer programs.
I do like the idea of timing as metric, but there's a big effect of learning on how quickly things get done. Some interfaces are quicker with little knowledge but slower given more time to learn.
I'm not speaking as a coder or a UI designer. I'm speaking as a user. It would take a great deal of solid evidence to convince me that there is an objective standard of usability - or an optimal interface for all users and purposes.
Usability is mostly a function of what the user is used to (no puns intended). I find working from a command line to be the most efficient way to get things done, which is in opposition to most of the world. I don't really think it's possible to quantify "usability" when to most people it's best rendered as "similarity to Microsoft products."
I absolutely couldn't believe it. The best quote: "Students are allowed to take notes for two reasons: Notes are available and helpful to recall information, and some students keep their notes as a part of their lifelong journey of obtaining knowledge."
Well, gee, thanks! I sure am glad the University is allowing me to take notes.
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What in the hell does that have to do with anything? All GP pointed out was a love for problem-solving.
Worst part of it all? It turns out that there's a very significant percentage of a post-industrialized nation's population for whom double clicking with the mouse is a very difficult task, mainly because _dragging_ and _single clicking_ are very similar to double clicking. Those people do far better with a typewriter-like interface, because they've damn well used typewriters in the past (because it used to be part of basic schooling). They're perfectly OK with typing "oowriter" on a command line. Now they can't, because pointing and drooling is the Officially Dominant Interaction Style.
This is highly true, at least among my family members. I don't even want to think about the legions of people out there convinced they're "bad at computers" because they don't have the dexterity, muscle memory, whatever, to double-click or hunt down icons and menu items.
I would actually say that, because I'm a verbal person. I've met others too who have trouble with GUIs because they don't think in a visual way, although I do believe most computer users find it more "natural."
I'm hesitant, though, to use words like "natural" or "intuitive" in describing something as wholly synthetic as the interfaces of computer programs.
I do like the idea of timing as metric, but there's a big effect of learning on how quickly things get done. Some interfaces are quicker with little knowledge but slower given more time to learn.
I'm not speaking as a coder or a UI designer. I'm speaking as a user. It would take a great deal of solid evidence to convince me that there is an objective standard of usability - or an optimal interface for all users and purposes.
Usability is mostly a function of what the user is used to (no puns intended). I find working from a command line to be the most efficient way to get things done, which is in opposition to most of the world. I don't really think it's possible to quantify "usability" when to most people it's best rendered as "similarity to Microsoft products."
Those of you who have familiarity are lucky, because I do not, and every time I look at 'pensieve' the 'i' and the 's' decide to transpose themselves.
An article about this topic came up in the University of Texas newspaper recently.
http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2008/03/20/University/Student.Sites.May.Violate.Ut.Rules-3276620.shtml
I absolutely couldn't believe it. The best quote: "Students are allowed to take notes for two reasons: Notes are available and helpful to recall information, and some students keep their notes as a part of their lifelong journey of obtaining knowledge."
Well, gee, thanks! I sure am glad the University is allowing me to take notes.