[IxDA Discuss] The biggest usability problem with Windows

[Wilson, Russell]

It seems that a part of human nature is to accept things as they are and
adapt accordingly. This can be both a strength and a weakness. With
regard to tools and products, we use what we have, most often accepting
the shortcomings, until someone comes along and invents something better
or makes an improvement. And then we examine the new product or
improvement in awe, wondering why we didn't think of it, surprised at
how obvious it is in hindsight. 

 

It is not easy to remove oneself from the everyday flow of life, from
the behavioral patterns we form and adaptations we make, to acknowledge
the problems and ask "how can this be better?" And yet, this is the
space where designers should spend a great deal of time.

To that lofty end, I'm going to step down from my dramatic soliloquy and
ask "Why in the name of all that is holy does it have to take so long to
start Windows?"

 

I, like many others I'm sure, use my computer for hours and hours every
day. And one of my chief frustrations is waiting for my laptop to start
up, and for that matter shutdown. Because I use a laptop, I start up and
shutdown often. This isn't as much of a problem for desktop users who
leave their computer running, but when the power goes out or you have to
install new software, prepare to wait.

 

And why should this be acceptable? Would it be acceptable if it took a
web site 5min to load? Would it be acceptable if it took your camera
5min to start? What about your TV? Your washing machine? Your car? We
have adapted and come to accept it as "the way it is", but I argue that
it is the biggest usability bug in Windows! To be fair, this problem
isn't limited to Windows. I don't use a Mac, so I can't compare, but I'm
sure it doesn't turn on instantly.

 

If it were up to me, I would have a team working around the clock on a
solution for instant-on/off computers. I'm sure it's not an easy problem
to solve, but a fix for this unacceptable bug would have a tremendous
impact on productivity and the entire user experience surrounding
computers.

 

Russ

 

 

 

Original post:
http://www.dexodesign.com/2007/09/biggest-usability-bug-in-windows.html