Paul Wilkins wrote:
Brad Beveridge wrote:
How many people do you know that buy a tool for $2000-$3000, don't read the instructions or take a training course & end up throwing the tool out six months later? I bet none. How many people buy a computer and give up on it in six months because they still can't work it, I know of many.
Why should computers have to be any more user friendly than other devices that are just as complex?
Quite simply because the general public (as a group) are thick and have unrealistic expectations.
I would disagree that the general public is too thick to use a computer. The general public can drive, and if people can be trusted to drive a car effectively I think they can drive a computer. I think that with a little training or reading of instructions, anybody can use a computer. The problem is that computers offer too much flexibility, and there is no expectation to have to learn how to do it. It is about choosing the right tool for the job. I wouldn't use an oscilloscope to measure a voltage when a multi-meter would do. Unfortuantly, there doesn't appear to be any "less complex" computers around for people to choose to use. So that only leaves learning to use them properly.
Sure there are still many crappy things about various UIs, and I think that we can safely whinge about them - but I don't think there should be an expectation that people who have never used a computer should be able to sit down and use that machine without assistance. Would you sit down to a bunch of engine parts and expect to be able to assemble them the first time with no help? I think those two tasks are on the same order of complexity for the untrained novice.
Brad
