Re: 'Intuitive' software applications

Subject: Re: 'Intuitive' software applications
From: bcliver -at- manu -dot- com
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2004 09:04:26 -0400


>Hi all,
>
>I'm just starting off a research project looking at whether 'intuitive'
software applications actually exist, and >discussing the implications for
documentation of such systems.
>
>I'd be grateful for your input on what you understand by 'intuitive'
software applications, whether you think they >exist, and whether users
and tech writers/ developers have different understanding of the term
'intuitive'.
>
>Thanks in advance!
>
> Beth

I do not like the term intuitive, and I would avoid using it in doc or as
a trainer. Some users cringe when they hear intuitive because it's like
shouting, "Hey dummy, everyone else understands. What's your problem?"

Intuitive means that you're relying on the user's intuition. Intuitive
does not mean logical, coherent, unified, etc.

Barry Cliver
Lead Technical Writer

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

ROBOHELP X5: Featuring Word 2003 support, Content Management, Multi-Author
support, PDF and XML support and much more!
TRY IT TODAY at http://www.macromedia.com/go/techwrl

WEBWORKS FINALDRAFT: New! Document review system for Word and FrameMaker
authors. Automatic browser-based drafts with unlimited reviewers. Full
online discussions -- no Web server needed! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archiver -at- techwr-l -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.



Follow-Ups:

Previous by Author: Re: UK Conventions
Next by Author: Minimal Contents of a Operation/User Manual
Previous by Thread: RE: 'Intuitive' software applications
Next by Thread: Re: 'Intuitive' software applications


What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:


Sponsored Ads