The problem that I have with people who talk about the "power of less" or WYSIWYG is how ironic the statements are if you look at real life. In another thread somebody mentioned that they had problems getting unversity lecturers to learn wiki syntax. Yet I have seen the same type of people going to the library or bookstore to get a book on how to use MS Word, despite the fact they will use only a small number of its features.
Many people use word processors to write simple text. Yet it would be much simpler to use a text editor - where you can concentrate on the important part, what you say. Or for another example, take Liquid Threads. How many complaints have their been in this mailing list? (Indeed, the was the first topic I saw after I joined the list) It maybe simple, but does it work? In conclusion, my postition could be summed up by Einsteins comment: everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler. ________________________________ From: Scott Newson <scott.g.new...@gmail.com> To: wikieducator@googlegroups.com Sent: Monday, April 6, 2009 12:12:37 PM Subject: [WikiEducator] Re: the power of less The thing with technology is that 'less' is very subjective. Tools that lessen the cognitive load on the user often have a lot of though put into them by their designers who consider them more complex than a similar tool that requires a lot from the user. With the example of a WYSIWYG editor, those of us who are used to working with the normal wiki markup language and who know that it takes an 'extra' extension to make the WYSIWYG happen might think of such a change as 'more', but for someone who is just used to using normal document editors being able to make changes in a familiar way means that there is less of a transition to make. >From the article you referenced: "I see more people trying to get the ideas >that already exist right." This sort of comment seems to support the idea of >working to make existing activities easier (ie WYSIWYG editors, easy >interface). I'm actually rather confused now as to what you are trying to >say... I originally thought that you were concerned that general infatuation with shiny new tools would lead to an overly complex environment, and that having less of these extensions would lead to a simpler/better environment... but now I'm not sure. Could you expand a bit? I personally like to be able to explore and figure out how things work, especially in computers, so I often end up doing things in a 'less is more' way. But I still like being able to make use of abstractions in areas that I don't understand yet. For example, I'd hate to have to hand code an email to do all the things an email does to get from me to you every time I want to say hi. Scott On Sun, Apr 5, 2009 at 12:35 AM, NELLIE DEUTSCH <nellie.muller.deut...@gmail.com> wrote: Randy, The power of less may make the digital natives powerless. :) The next generation we need to consider is not ours. We should empower the next generation to be independent thinkers who will be able to design tools that cater to their needs not ours. Are we not merely making a copy of ourlives with new tools: http://socialcpr.blogspot.com/2009/03/new-tool-for-doing-it-old-school.html Warm wishes, Nellie Deutsch Doctoral Student Educational Leadership Curriculum and Instruction http://www.wikieducator.org/EL4C21 http://www.wikieducator.org/User:Nelliemuller skype:nelliedeutschmuller On Sat, Apr 4, 2009 at 8:29 PM, Randy Fisher <wikira...@gmail.com> wrote: Hi everyone, Just reflecting on our wish that WikiEducator improve its functionality - WYSYIWG, Liquid Threads, nicer interface, easier account registration, and I come across this interesting article on BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7978170.stm Enjoy! - Randy -- ________________ Randy Fisher * Change Management & Performance * Organization Development * Stakeholder Engagement & Community-Building * Coaching & Facilitation * Open Source & Open Education/e-Learning + 1 604.684.2275 (Pacific Time) wikira...@gmail.com http://www.wikieducator.org - Member, WikiEducator Community Council http://www.wikieducator.org/User:Randyfisher * Can You Do the Wiki-Wiki? http://www.wikieducator.org/Wiki_Wiki Skype: wikirandy "Open Education is a Sustainable & Renewable Resource. * For faster and greater ROI, please encourage Philanthropists to require that any content written under their grants / funding, be released as free and open source content. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "WikiEducator" group. To visit wikieducator: http://www.wikieducator.org To visit the discussion forum: http://groups.google.com/group/wikieducator To post to this group, send email to wikieducator@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to wikieducator-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
