TOC Linux

phiscock-g851W1bGYuGnS0EtXVNi6w at public.gmane.org phiscock-g851W1bGYuGnS0EtXVNi6w at public.gmane.org
Fri Mar 3 17:03:15 UTC 2006


> Training can be very powerful, useful and time-saving, even if its
training > in IE and Excel.
>
This is true. Unfortunately, training is often used to compensate for a
really lousy human interface design. Two examples of my experience:

- A purchase order entry system that was designed like a dungeons and
dragons game so that users were required to take a half-day training
course before purchasing so much as an HB pencil.

- An inter-library loan system that was so badly designed that even
computer professionals (not just me) couldn't figure it out without
another half-day training course. In the second case, the vendor
apparently had not done any useability testing before releasing the
product. (To its credit, the library involved recognized the problem and
fixed it.)

Generally, if the user interface, help system and documentation are done
properly, users should be able to figure out the program with minimal
training. One can find out very quickly if the program meets this
requirement by putting it in front of some naive (but assumed to be
intelligent) end users, and watching what happens.

I was part of a useability test for some teaching software (an extreme
test, since profs are significantly less capable of operating software
than students ;), and within minutes I had (unintentionally) sent the
thing to never-never land. At least the program designer had the sense to
test it.

Unfortunately, end users are often sufficiently intimidated by computer
technology that *they* think of themselves as stupid when in fact the
problem is with the program design.

It's much easier to blame the end user than to figure out how to make a
program bullet proof and easy to use.

Peter

-- 
Peter Hiscocks
Syscomp Electronic Design Limited, Toronto
http://www.syscompdesign.com
USB Oscilloscope and Waveform Generator
416-465-0325

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