On Apr 21, 2006, at 5:19 AM, RBNUBE wrote:
Just because the average user is confused by an interface, doesn't
mean
it's a bad interface.
Some would say that's the definition of a bad interface.
It's quite possible that the user is ignorant.
Most computer users are extremely ignorant. Some are unwilling to, or
are unable to, learn the more complex or less obvious features or
concepts of their software.
That's correct: most computer users are extremely ignorant. That's
why it's our job to make software as easy to use as possible. If
people can't use software, they won't buy it, and they potentially
miss out on valuable tools.
There are exceptions, of course: Reason's interface is anything but
simple, but it's made to mimic a real world mixing and recording
console, so anyone with an audio background will pick it up right
away. Everyone else probably won't be using it anyway.
SDI might please more people, be easier to use and that could
*possibly*
translate into more profit, but that still doesn't make it
functionally
better than MDI.
If my users are happier with the simpler interface, that's a good
thing all around. It will likely lead not only to more sales, but to
lower support costs. And that makes me happier.
What makes SDI functionally better than MDI, in my estimation, is
that the user still has access to the desktop. Simple tasks like
dragging files into windows becomes much more complex in an MDI
application. That said, several of my apps are MDI (and several are
being converted from MDI to SDI). At one time, all of my Windows apps
were MDI, simply because it was easier for me as the developer (since
I develop on a Mac), but Aaron convinced me that the extra work on my
part is more than worth it for my end users.
All opinion as well, of course. :) I'm stepping off of my soapbox now.
PS: MDI on the Mac is pure evil.
--
Brad Rhine
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://bradrhine.com
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