[IxDA Discuss] can we make it to easy?

[Shep McKee]

In a way, we've seen this "erosion of value" happen before. The first  
Mac brought desktop publishing to the consumer - and to this day, we  
are inundated with poorly designed flyers and newsletters.

A certain amount of difficulty [for beginners] is left in the tools by  
design? I agree, but for different reasons. Given the conflict between  
(a) performance & efficiency (for expert users) vs. (b) support for  
novice users (ie: ease of learning, time to learn, etc.) - performance  
& efficiency is the priority goal.

Andrei?

Can these tools also be made easy to learn, but where this added  
functionality does not interfere with expert use? Sure, but at a  
greater design and engineering expense. Constantine & Lockwood's  
"Instructive Interaction" perhaps?

Regards, Shep McKee

On May 2, 2008, at 8:23 AM, mark schraad wrote:
> I found my self
> wondering if, for professional tools, there is greater adoption,
> product loyalty and stickiness in leaving a certain amount of
> difficulty in the UI? The thinking goes... if the process is to easy,
> then everyone can do it and it erodes my (the professional user's)
> value in the marketplace.