[IxDA Discuss] Fwd: Usability as Feature

[Jack Moffett]

On Feb 1, 2007, at 10:24 AM, pauric wrote:

> In fact the iPods have succeeded against all odds: Short battery life
> resulting from extra CPU cycles decoding DRM encrpytion.  Not very  
> durable
> but command a  premium price tag.  Form over function at the  
> expense of a
> better experience.

Pauric,

All of your points here are very arguable.

I have found battery life to be quite respectable. The vast majority  
of my music doesn't have DRM encryption.
I have found the iPod to be very durable. Mine is going on 3 years  
old, still has somewhere between 4 and 6 hours of battery life, and  
runs fine. And I certainly don't understand why you think it is an  
example of form over function. It's user experience is its biggest  
selling point.

As for buying things due to insecurity or to be part of the hip  
crowd, I could care less. It became popular because it was a good  
product, and therefore became fashionable.

Jack



Jack L. Moffett
Interaction Designer
inmedius
412.459.0310 x219
http://www.inmedius.com


The public is more familiar with
bad design than good design.
It is, in effect, conditioned
to prefer bad design, because
that is what it lives with.
The new becomes threatening,
the old reassuring.

                     - Paul Rand