This is the best reply I've seen for the question. The fact that I work in Human Factors doesn't sway my opinion in the least. =) I wish I had point to mod with.
As rossz point out, there is no getting around working with someone (or multiple people) with a background in Human-Systems Integration.
One additional point to be made concerning the original post... to use one of your own points against you, unfortunately:
Designing a proper UI *takes many, many hours to do this*!
There is no getting around this fact. When you work with someone familiar with Human Factors, it is still going to take a long time if you want to get it done *right*. But that time will be spent productively, learning how the application and the users actually interact -- and not how your UI developers think they will.
On the way out, visitors will have to opportunity to pick up an HP DeskJet or laptop preloaded with Windows Vista. Visitors will need to pay extra to have Windows XP installed, but can have the laptop delivered to their Disney hotel room (once finished) at no extra cost.
Having this general disrespect and uncaring attitude towards the user is why so many user interfaces are an absolute nightmare to use. Looking at your target operating system and the standards defined for common user interface practices is very important, but to simply believe that a good user interface is spawned by simply making it look like the target OS is naive at best... or criminal with the number of horrific interfaces out there.
To use your example, I'll strike at the heart of Slashdot culture -- GNOME or KDE, both absolute cesspools of user interface design. Plenty of applications *look* like they belong there, but are so absolutely unusable that it doesn't matter if it is the most beautiful thing you've ever seen -- you still can't use the program to accomplish what you need. This is part to do with a simply lack of resources to within many open source projects to do proper interface design, but mostly because there is a mindset among many programmers that they somehow instinctively know how to create a good user interface. Because you sit in front of the computer all day does not mean you know what is best.
Expect to be fighting Darth Vader soon enough, sweeping around with your Wii controler to block and parry his blows. Just make sure you don't record yourself and forget to take the tape out of the camcorder (same goes for Zelda).
When was is claimed that the XBox 360 was "unhackable"? I recall the several interviews in which it was cliamed that the 360 would be more difficult to hack and that a good deal of effort was put in to closing previously exploited routes (or making them even more difficult to exploit), but I can't seem to remember when a Microsoft rep flat out claimed that the 360 was "unhackable". The linked article linked claiming an "unhackable" 360 doesn't even make such a claim.
Of course, I realize it is cool to take things Microsoft says out of context the company is not made up by idiots (again, despite what many want to believe). They know it is going to be hacked. They're going to make every effort to make it as difficult as possible. But they aren't going to claim the ship is unsinkable.
Although, if I simply missed that article where the "unhackable" claim was made I look forward to a chuckle at Microsoft's expense. Perhaps someone could link that article though, since it isn't in the article summary.
Queue all the prejudice U.S.A. bashing by those so eager to degrade another group of people that a survey of 502 people casts a shadow large enough to place a nation of 300 million under it.
UbiSoft is the focus of the suit because they are the ones putting the software onto your computer, they are the ones ultimately doing the "damage". StarForce (the company) does not install its software on your computer, UbiSoft put it there so it is their (UbiSoft's) fault when the software causes damage.
UbiSoft, instead of a different company, is likely the target due to a recent choice to equip all their games with StarForce.
"Regardless, the moment they made an offer of cash for criminal services, they were entrapping -- inciting crime, creating criminals."
Totally incorrect. Making an offer (cash or otherwise) for criminal services is not entrapment! Offering money for drugs is not entrapment. Offering money for sex is not entrapment. The rules do not suddenly change in this case.
"Hey buddy -- I'll give you $10 for that bag of weed." Entrapment!? No!
The simple offering of money does not force criminal action, it is not "inciting crime" nor is it "creating criminals." People have free will. An officer of the law can offer you 1 million dollars to shot someone in the head - you know it is illegal - you know you shouldn't do it - you know you can refuse. Just because the money has been offered changes none of those facts.
Russinovich says Symantec had good intentions, but they were right to post an update to fix this hole.
I was getting directions to someplace the other day, the guy said the road there was paved with "good intentions". Damn, I can't remember the name of the place... think, think...
From the Article: The series revolved around Fry, a pizza delivery boy, who is accidentally frozen for a thousand years. He wakes up in the year 3000 and befriends sassy one-eyed pilot Leela and cranky robot Bender, who both work for an intergalactic delivery service run by a distant nephew of Fry's.
Leela worked at the Chrionics lab, getting her job with the delivery service at the same time as Fry.
Bender was ending his carrier as a bender, rather drastically, when he met Fry. Also joining Planet Express at the same time as Fry and Leela.
My last shred of faith is shattered. How are we ever to trust the news media again!?
I wish I had mod points. Yours is exactly the post that came to mind when I say this... thing.
Working in the field of Human-Systems Integration, the ergonomics (read: "complete lack there of") of this device is the first thing that came to mind. They certainly don't have anyone with an ounce of Human Factors experience.
Have you ever considered having a show where you say, "DO Try this at home?" Its fun to see my child get such a love of science in such a fun way.
BEST question and answers here! Sit down with your kids, engage them, challange them, let them have fun, and have fun yourself doing it! Who'd a thunk it!?
Don't expect a breakup anytime soon. The "current ones" have just recently become that. All the "baby bells" have disappeared in, roughly, the last 10 years, being bought up by the larger companies such as SBC and now (once) cell only companies like Verizon getting into the mix. I started working for Lucent Technologies in 1998, when the term "baby bell" was still used around the office. By the time I left in 2002 we honestly didn't know who owned who and what to call what.
Keep in mind that the original breakup was done because you had one choice. AT&T. That was it. Although some of the companies around today may appear to be too big and powerful, you have a choice of which big and powerful company you choose to give your money too. Didn't have that when the Baby Bells were created.
I would hope this is not truely Linus, as is suggested by a few of the other responses in this chain. Working in the field of Human-System Integration the statements made by the poster (regardless of true identity) would be used as a prime example as to why Software Engineers/Developers/Programmers (whatever postfix you want to use) have little to no idea what they are talking about when it comes to Usability. Having a Bachelors in Computer Science, and being a Software Developer for 4 years before returning to school for HSI, I have no problem standing up on my soap box and yelling it to the world.:)
Coming from a Human-Systems Integration position, I would suggest using GNOME. Not because of some false "the users are idiots" standpoint, but because a system (any system) should work *with* the user. Design the system to work with users. Don't force the user to have to work with your design.
Half of the "joy" many Linux users seem to get out of using the OS is the cumbersome protocols required to accomplish many tasks. This is all well and good for people who want to get their hands dirty, but not for Joe Everyuser. If Linux is to "break out" into the mainstream, it will not be with KDE on the desktop.
So *that's* what that is! I noticed the new line above my inbox this morning and wondered what the heck it was. I didn't manage to divert my eyes clear to the right of the screen to see the "" and "Customize" buttons. Google needs to perhaps rethink how new features are introduced when users (well, at least one) finds out about new features through a completely different site.
Slashdot Mirror
In terms of the Star Trek time line, there is no significance to May 2009. It just happens to be the date the movie is coming out. =)
As rossz point out, there is no getting around working with someone (or multiple people) with a background in Human-Systems Integration.
One additional point to be made concerning the original post... to use one of your own points against you, unfortunately:
Designing a proper UI *takes many, many hours to do this*!
There is no getting around this fact. When you work with someone familiar with Human Factors, it is still going to take a long time if you want to get it done *right*. But that time will be spent productively, learning how the application and the users actually interact -- and not how your UI developers think they will.
This sneak peak at Firefox wasted an hour of my life, watching treadmill kittens on You Tube!
On the way out, visitors will have to opportunity to pick up an HP DeskJet or laptop preloaded with Windows Vista. Visitors will need to pay extra to have Windows XP installed, but can have the laptop delivered to their Disney hotel room (once finished) at no extra cost.
Having this general disrespect and uncaring attitude towards the user is why so many user interfaces are an absolute nightmare to use. Looking at your target operating system and the standards defined for common user interface practices is very important, but to simply believe that a good user interface is spawned by simply making it look like the target OS is naive at best... or criminal with the number of horrific interfaces out there.
To use your example, I'll strike at the heart of Slashdot culture -- GNOME or KDE, both absolute cesspools of user interface design. Plenty of applications *look* like they belong there, but are so absolutely unusable that it doesn't matter if it is the most beautiful thing you've ever seen -- you still can't use the program to accomplish what you need. This is part to do with a simply lack of resources to within many open source projects to do proper interface design, but mostly because there is a mindset among many programmers that they somehow instinctively know how to create a good user interface. Because you sit in front of the computer all day does not mean you know what is best.
It was found that the average Slashdot user's brain could be backed up using a 11x8" sheet of double wide ruled paper.
Expect to be fighting Darth Vader soon enough, sweeping around with your Wii controler to block and parry his blows. Just make sure you don't record yourself and forget to take the tape out of the camcorder (same goes for Zelda).
Sun rises and sets! (translation: duh.....)
Of course, I realize it is cool to take things Microsoft says out of context the company is not made up by idiots (again, despite what many want to believe). They know it is going to be hacked. They're going to make every effort to make it as difficult as possible. But they aren't going to claim the ship is unsinkable.
Although, if I simply missed that article where the "unhackable" claim was made I look forward to a chuckle at Microsoft's expense. Perhaps someone could link that article though, since it isn't in the article summary.
Queue all the prejudice U.S.A. bashing by those so eager to degrade another group of people that a survey of 502 people casts a shadow large enough to place a nation of 300 million under it.
Where is this article!?
UbiSoft, instead of a different company, is likely the target due to a recent choice to equip all their games with StarForce.
Nothing to see here, move alone.
(or something to the effect) But a quick reload showed that "The Man" did not in fact supress the story.
Totally incorrect. Making an offer (cash or otherwise) for criminal services is not entrapment! Offering money for drugs is not entrapment. Offering money for sex is not entrapment. The rules do not suddenly change in this case.
"Hey buddy -- I'll give you $10 for that bag of weed." Entrapment!? No!
The simple offering of money does not force criminal action, it is not "inciting crime" nor is it "creating criminals." People have free will. An officer of the law can offer you 1 million dollars to shot someone in the head - you know it is illegal - you know you shouldn't do it - you know you can refuse. Just because the money has been offered changes none of those facts.
I was getting directions to someplace the other day, the guy said the road there was paved with "good intentions". Damn, I can't remember the name of the place... think, think...
so which star do I point my sextant at then if I'm trying to find my latitude? Second star the right, and straight on till morning.
The series revolved around Fry, a pizza delivery boy, who is accidentally frozen for a thousand years. He wakes up in the year 3000 and befriends sassy one-eyed pilot Leela and cranky robot Bender, who both work for an intergalactic delivery service run by a distant nephew of Fry's.
Leela worked at the Chrionics lab, getting her job with the delivery service at the same time as Fry.
Bender was ending his carrier as a bender, rather drastically, when he met Fry. Also joining Planet Express at the same time as Fry and Leela.
My last shred of faith is shattered. How are we ever to trust the news media again!?
Working in the field of Human-Systems Integration, the ergonomics (read: "complete lack there of") of this device is the first thing that came to mind. They certainly don't have anyone with an ounce of Human Factors experience.
BEST question and answers here! Sit down with your kids, engage them, challange them, let them have fun, and have fun yourself doing it! Who'd a thunk it!?
Thumbs up Aggrazel!
Nerd, jock, deva, pervert, drama queen... call yourself whatever you want. Your freedoms are never trash.
Dogs and cats, living together! Mass hysteria!
Keep in mind that the original breakup was done because you had one choice. AT&T. That was it. Although some of the companies around today may appear to be too big and powerful, you have a choice of which big and powerful company you choose to give your money too. Didn't have that when the Baby Bells were created.
I would hope this is not truely Linus, as is suggested by a few of the other responses in this chain. Working in the field of Human-System Integration the statements made by the poster (regardless of true identity) would be used as a prime example as to why Software Engineers/Developers/Programmers (whatever postfix you want to use) have little to no idea what they are talking about when it comes to Usability. Having a Bachelors in Computer Science, and being a Software Developer for 4 years before returning to school for HSI, I have no problem standing up on my soap box and yelling it to the world. :)
Coming from a Human-Systems Integration position, I would suggest using GNOME. Not because of some false "the users are idiots" standpoint, but because a system (any system) should work *with* the user. Design the system to work with users. Don't force the user to have to work with your design.
Half of the "joy" many Linux users seem to get out of using the OS is the cumbersome protocols required to accomplish many tasks. This is all well and good for people who want to get their hands dirty, but not for Joe Everyuser. If Linux is to "break out" into the mainstream, it will not be with KDE on the desktop.
How many visits will it require for me to download a complete copy of Super Size Me to my Happy Meal media player?
So *that's* what that is! I noticed the new line above my inbox this morning and wondered what the heck it was. I didn't manage to divert my eyes clear to the right of the screen to see the "" and "Customize" buttons. Google needs to perhaps rethink how new features are introduced when users (well, at least one) finds out about new features through a completely different site.