From kde-usability Thu Feb 21 10:36:28 2002 From: "Aaron J. Seigo" Date: Thu, 21 Feb 2002 10:36:28 +0000 To: kde-usability Subject: Re: optionitis X-MARC-Message: https://marc.info/?l=kde-usability&m=101433189128143 hi. > We may not want to code them into the functioning of the OS, but we do have > to have a framework of what level of user will use what kind of option to > make good decisions about where they go. arranging options in a sensible fashion is indeed quite important, and yes we need to do "in the wild" usability tests for the final word on such arrangements. once we know how users actually interact with various configuration system layouts we can make improvements (and test those, too). by moving advanced and rarely used options away from simpler or commonly used options, by removing certain overly esoteric options altogether, by more logically grouping related options, by using more accurate/obvious wording, by providing an easier to use and more immediate guide system within configuration dialogs ... etc ... i believe we can vastly improve the usability of the configuration systems used in KDE ... however, hiding or rearranging options at run-time based on asking a "how much do you know" question (or survey, for that matter) is not a good idea for a number of reasons. i'm usually not so dogmatic on an issue, but i've watched this get debated to death several times by people far more versed in these matters than i am on a few different message boards / mailling lists with the same results each time. i would prefer not to waste everyone's time just to come to the familiar conclusion of "user levels don't work". btw, welcome to the usability list =) -- Aaron Seigo _______________________________________________ kde-usability mailing list kde-usability@mail.kde.org http://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kde-usability