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List:       kde-usability
Subject:    Re: kde-usability Digest, Vol 31, Issue 9
From:       Martijn Klingens <klingens () kde ! org>
Date:       2005-10-19 18:27:01
Message-ID: 200510192027.01685.klingens () kde ! org
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On Wednesday 19 October 2005 20:02, fourhead wrote:
> > If they are cluttered, they are also cluttered for experienced users. The
> > key to usability is presenting information such that everyone can easily
> > find his/her way around. It does not necessarily mean removing stuff as
> > some people tend to think and it certainly doesn't mean user levels.
>
> So, but then how else would you do it?

By looking at each and every item on a case-by-case basis. The way Aaron has 
been gradually cleaning up Kicker in KDE 3.4 and the upcoming 3.5 is a good 
example how you can make stuff more usable without cutting out a whole lot, 
if anything.

Sometimes you can demote items from a toolbar to a menu. Sometimes you need to 
rearrange menus. Sometimes an item needs to go out of the GUI, only 
configurable by external tools and/or the config file. Sometimes you need to 
redo lots of things.

The common part in all these examples is that you always need to watch at 
users. Do formal (and proper!) usability testing, use paper prototyping, or 
any other means you have. Ask the experts here, like Aaron, Celeste, Ellen 
and Thomas (not trying to be complete, so don't feel left out if I missed 
someone).

It's all a bit fuzzy, but usability is a topic that (at least for me) is hard 
to fit in a handful of rules. Perhaps someone else can list some good ideas 
for starters that tend to work in any case?

-- 
Martijn
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