[Sigia-l] Linus on usability

Jared M. Spool jspool at uie.com
Thu Dec 15 07:55:50 EST 2005


At 02:50 AM 12/13/2005, Listera wrote:
>Is he right? :-)

Actually, I think he's spot on.

Good design isn't about eliminating necessary functionality in the name of 
"simplicity." It's about rethinking the problem so that the users can 
accomplish their objectives without obstacles. Confusing dialog boxes are 
one obstacle. Missing functionality is another.

One only needs to keep at it until one produces a solution that has neither 
obstacle.

I seriously think Linus is asking the GNOME folks to return to the drawing 
board and try again. And I think that's a reasonable response to what 
they've done.

Jared


Jared M. Spool, Founding Principal, User Interface Engineering
4 Lookout Lane, Unit 4d, Middleton, MA 01949
978 777-9123   jspool at uie.com  http://www.uie.com
Blog: http://www.uie.com/brainsparks 





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