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Perhaps you could state that a bit more definitively - experts require a complex interface to perform optimally. This violates every principle of mass-market u
by marshray 16y ago
Perhaps you could state that a bit more definitively - experts require a complex interface to perform optimally.
This violates every principle of mass-market user interface design - I love it!
- StavrosK 16y agoNo they don't. They require a powerful interface. Complexity just comes with more power, but there's nothing to suggest that an expert would perform better with a more complex interface than with a simpler one, if both offered the same functionality.
- marshray 16y agoI think there probably is a principle at work to suggest that one of the properties of an expert-friendly 'powerful' interface is that it will be perceived as 'complex' by newbies. Experts will need to have access to a large set of features (e.g. 10 different types of tire/track conditions) that newbies don't. Experts will also need ways to override interface logic which is in place to guide users automatically to the right settings (e.g. wizards, DWIMminess).
- kprobst 16y agoI think you're confusing "complicated" with "complex". The former is to be avoided, while the latter is sometimes unavoidable, and in some cases (as here) desired. This also is a basic tenet of software design as well. I don't mind complexity, if it's necessary and clearly documented. Complicated code on the other hand is the hallmark of a broken development process or a lack of developer skills.