[prev in list] [next in list] [prev in thread] [next in thread] 

List:       kde-usability
Subject:    Re: KDE4 Human Interface Guidelines Survey
From:       "Aaron J. Seigo" <aseigo () kde ! org>
Date:       2006-05-24 15:37:49
Message-ID: 200605240937.49523.aseigo () kde ! org
[Download RAW message or body]

[Attachment #2 (multipart/signed)]


On Wednesday 24 May 2006 01:16, Frank Reifenstahl wrote:
> I wonder how developers and HCI specialists come to any sensible conclusion
> about principles of KDEs UI without collecting and rating user wishes and
> priorities. Sounds somewhat like a company mangements lone decision...  ;)

i've used this analogy previously, i think even on this list, but i think it's 
a good one:

city planners study the traffic habits of the people who move around in the 
city by measuring traffic flows over time and relating it to the current 
infrastructure of the city. sometimes this results in them realizing that 
they need a new bridge somewhere. when this happens they call in the civil 
engineers who figure out where it is safe and feasible to sink the supporting 
pylons; they also design the bridge itself.

this process is "user-driven" in that it is in direct response to the needs 
and behavior of the people using it based on data collected. the city 
planners do not, however, go and ask people in their cars, "so, do you think 
we should make it a suspension bridge?" or "would you prefer 4 or 5 
supporting pylons?" they usually don't even ask if people would like a new 
bridge because those survey results may not reflect the reality of usage 
patterns or current infrastructure.

so while we may not hold large surveys for self-selecting users to answer 
questions such as "which buttons should be in konqueror's toolbars in your 
opinion?" we have asked such questions as "which buttons do you use in 
konqueror's toolbars, and at what frequency?" we have done many tests with 
people sitting in front of our software and using it while we observe what 
does and doesn't work for them. this gathering of information is important.

and we encourage people to do more of these studies to collect actual data.

but that's very different than asking for input on what the UI guidelines 
should be. that would be like asking drivers how many support struts a bridge 
of a given length and of a particular type of construction needs.

-- 
Aaron J. Seigo
GPG Fingerprint: 8B8B 2209 0C6F 7C47 B1EA  EE75 D6B7 2EB1 A7F1 DB43

Full time KDE developer sponsored by Trolltech (http://www.trolltech.com)

[Attachment #5 (application/pgp-signature)]

_______________________________________________
kde-usability mailing list
kde-usability@kde.org
https://mail.kde.org/mailman/listinfo/kde-usability


[prev in list] [next in list] [prev in thread] [next in thread]