Computers are still too hard to use!
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Switching on PC is too technical for many users[^]
I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe Jeremy Davis http://www.astad.org
http://www.jvf.co.uk -
Switching on PC is too technical for many users[^]
I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe Jeremy Davis http://www.astad.org
http://www.jvf.co.uk"I have always wished that my computer would be as easy to use as my telephone. My wish has come true. I no longer know how to use my telephone." - Bjarne Stroustrup (originator of C++) [quoted at the 2003 International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces]
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Switching on PC is too technical for many users[^]
I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe Jeremy Davis http://www.astad.org
http://www.jvf.co.ukThe difficulty in turning on PCs has to do with the PC tower design (where's the on button?), not software. Or maybe we should stop designing user interfaces and teach computers how to listen to people. "Computer, turn on." Or even, "How in the heck do I turn this thing on?" and the computer will respond audibly.
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"I have always wished that my computer would be as easy to use as my telephone. My wish has come true. I no longer know how to use my telephone." - Bjarne Stroustrup (originator of C++) [quoted at the 2003 International Conference on Intelligent User Interfaces]
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The difficulty in turning on PCs has to do with the PC tower design (where's the on button?), not software. Or maybe we should stop designing user interfaces and teach computers how to listen to people. "Computer, turn on." Or even, "How in the heck do I turn this thing on?" and the computer will respond audibly.
Swamii wrote: The difficulty in turning on PCs has to do with the PC tower design (where's the on button?), I disagree, the power button on most PCs is the same if not similar to the power button on many tvs (assuming you lost the remote and have to do it the old way) I think it is pure ignorance. People expect the computer to be hard and don't bother trying. Matt Newman
Sonork: 100:11179 "Battleship, was the first game that taught you to lie" - Zachery -
The difficulty in turning on PCs has to do with the PC tower design (where's the on button?), not software. Or maybe we should stop designing user interfaces and teach computers how to listen to people. "Computer, turn on." Or even, "How in the heck do I turn this thing on?" and the computer will respond audibly.
I disagree. People try and think of their PC like they do their VCR/DVD player. It should always be on and the concept of a reboot should be non-existant. Software is largely responsible for this and the perception that "rebooting" is OK among software developers just adds to the problem. Personally, I think one system design that might be effective is to create special CDs that are labeled "Access the Internet", "Type a document", etc. A user just inserts them into the CD/DVD and the autostart process takes them to it. This way, the concept of a desktop and menu navigation is not needed and people use "natural" navigation to get to what they want. Probably a bad idea for many reasons, but an idea anyway.
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Swamii wrote: The difficulty in turning on PCs has to do with the PC tower design (where's the on button?), I disagree, the power button on most PCs is the same if not similar to the power button on many tvs (assuming you lost the remote and have to do it the old way) I think it is pure ignorance. People expect the computer to be hard and don't bother trying. Matt Newman
Sonork: 100:11179 "Battleship, was the first game that taught you to lie" - ZacheryTrue, but PCs have buttons for floppy, CD, and DVD ejection, in addition to possible "reset power" buttons, new PCs often have USB ports on the front, or even several small lights that at first may appear to be buttons. TVs, on the other hand, usually have all buttons hidden under an rotating panel, with the only visible button being the power button. Without free will, there can be neither submission nor rebellion.
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I disagree. People try and think of their PC like they do their VCR/DVD player. It should always be on and the concept of a reboot should be non-existant. Software is largely responsible for this and the perception that "rebooting" is OK among software developers just adds to the problem. Personally, I think one system design that might be effective is to create special CDs that are labeled "Access the Internet", "Type a document", etc. A user just inserts them into the CD/DVD and the autostart process takes them to it. This way, the concept of a desktop and menu navigation is not needed and people use "natural" navigation to get to what they want. Probably a bad idea for many reasons, but an idea anyway.
Software Developers Union for Developers of Very Intricate and Complex Thingys Head Office, Dept A, Subsection C, Radial Turn 70% Viti vendi vicci - rah rah shish boom bah! E. Pluribus Unim
Dear Sir: It has come to our attention that you have abandoned your occupational creedo and overstepped your bounds. While we accept that flights of fancy and occasional rants are both healthy and amusing, your recent ventures into the realm of common sense and productivity have exceeded our limits of acceptability. Please turn in your Software Development membership card no later than 5:00 PM PST of the current business day. Signed, Vice Admiral P. Mooty Pinglethromb (Mrs.) P.S. Tiny words are woody. Large words are tinny. Wear more hats.
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Software Developers Union for Developers of Very Intricate and Complex Thingys Head Office, Dept A, Subsection C, Radial Turn 70% Viti vendi vicci - rah rah shish boom bah! E. Pluribus Unim
Dear Sir: It has come to our attention that you have abandoned your occupational creedo and overstepped your bounds. While we accept that flights of fancy and occasional rants are both healthy and amusing, your recent ventures into the realm of common sense and productivity have exceeded our limits of acceptability. Please turn in your Software Development membership card no later than 5:00 PM PST of the current business day. Signed, Vice Admiral P. Mooty Pinglethromb (Mrs.) P.S. Tiny words are woody. Large words are tinny. Wear more hats.
LMAO Thanks for the laugh.
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Switching on PC is too technical for many users[^]
I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe Jeremy Davis http://www.astad.org
http://www.jvf.co.ukI still push the big silver round "Dell" logo thingy thinking it's the power switch. Of course, the real power switch is this puny thing in the lower right corner of the case, with a matching color. In a normal lighting, it's almost impossible to see. Given that the unit is often under the desk, it's impossible to see. Marc Latest AAL Article My blog Join my forum!
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I still push the big silver round "Dell" logo thingy thinking it's the power switch. Of course, the real power switch is this puny thing in the lower right corner of the case, with a matching color. In a normal lighting, it's almost impossible to see. Given that the unit is often under the desk, it's impossible to see. Marc Latest AAL Article My blog Join my forum!
Marc Clifton wrote: I still push the big silver round "Dell" logo thingy thinking it's the power switch. Next time, ask for the help of a 7 year old kid :) You can do it on anything you choose - from .bat to .net - A customer