rick@pbi.COM (Richard M. Goldstein) (04/02/91)
>Do we need a single GUI standard?
Let me throw this out for strictly heueristic value (it probably
doesn't reflect anybody's opinion, including mine):
We on xpert have already determined that the vast majority of all
GUI design is done by application programmers and not by professional
UI designers (few of whom even exist).
What this implies is that a GUI standard with as stringent a style guide
as possible (presuming it was designed by competent professionals), would
limit the "damage" that we (GUI programmers) can inflict upon an application,
and hence, end-users.
Since application programmers have no formal background in graphic design
or human factors, we are not qualified to make constructive decisions for
human interface. We should stick to programming and leave design to the
qualified designers.
Now that I've talked myself out of a job...
rick
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marcs@slc.com (Marc San Soucie) (04/04/91)
Richard M. Goldstein writes: > >Do we need a single GUI standard? > > Since application programmers have no formal background in graphic design > or human factors, we are not qualified to make constructive decisions for > human interface. We should stick to programming and leave design to the > qualified designers. Boy, does this wrankle my wrinkles. How about restating it thus: Since many application programmers have little formal background in graphic design or human factors, we are probably not as qualified to make constructive decisions for human interface as those who have a lot of formal training. Your implication that "mere programmers" have no human interface design skills is laughable. While formal training can increase one's knowledge base and improve one's skills, the lack of formal training in this or any discipline does not preclude the development of skills through other means such as, for time-honored example, experience. IE, when I meet a human interface designer who can do a better job than I can, and when that human interface designer volunteers or is paid to do my human interface design, I will bow down and get out of the way. Until then, I expect to do my own bloody human interface design. Time to stop worshipping training and start respecting ability. Marc San Soucie Servio Corporation Beaverton, Oregon marcs@slc.com