Hi, On Fri, Oct 25, 2002 at 03:07:55AM +0200, Malte Cornils wrote: > Hi, > > On Thu, Oct 24, 2002 at 06:39:58PM -0400, Luke Seubert wrote: > > Rather, I was just pointing out that there are going to be some types of > > computer users who literally don't know that Internet Explorer is a type of > > browser. (My stepmother comes to mind ;-) > > > > So even if we try to make the Debian Desktop menu layout as simple as > > possible for newbies, by using labeled apps in the menu such as "Web Browser > > (Galeon)", some of these totally ignorant types of users will STILL be > > confused. > > > > Frankly, for the total ignoramus like that, I don't think it is possible to > > design a simple and usable UI. > > <LUSER'S ADVOCATE> > Well, a task description like "Surf the web" for $BROWSER should be > understandable for even the most clueless user, you could even dumb it down > further by using a common but wrong terminology: "Surf the Internet". That > one *is* going too far IMHO, but "Surf the web", "Check e-Mail", "Write a > letter" and "Write a book" _are_ easier than "Web browser" (what's a browser), > "Mail client" (a client? why should the user know? He may remain ignorant and > still use the computer successfully), "Word processor" (a processor? ugh) > and "WYSIWIM composition" (which would be LyX). > </LUSER'S ADVOCATE> This is a very good idea, in principle. I think that verbs instead of nouns for things to click on make the computer more predictable, generally. > This level of debrainifying should only occur after the user has titled > herself as "absolute computer newbie". I agree, but I disagree with calling this 'debrainifying'. We're only too easy in assuming that there are only two categories of users: 1. competent ones, 2. stupid people. There's actually a third category that's probably most important of all, that's 3. intelligent people without feeling for or experience with computers. > I don't even know why an expert wouldn't want "easy" names except for > two things: you can't search google for "search the web" and find > instructions on how to use mozilla; you can if the app is named "Surf > the web (Mozilla)" or "Mozilla Browser". And of course the coolness > factor, and honouring the original app name. True. However, I'm somewhat convinced that once you set up an UI for that category 3 above, even experienced computer users will find it pleasant to use. Apple really shines in this respect sometimes, looking how they phrase things in their UI. Cheers, Emile. -- E-Advies / Emile van Bergen | emile@e-advies.info tel. +31 (0)70 3906153 | http://www.e-advies.info
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