Usability Is For Novices
Posted by anthony crumley, Sun Nov 25 09:26:00 UTC 2007
It seems to me that software usability is focused primarily on the novice user. Great effort is made to make functionality easy to discover, understand and remember while making it hard to commit certain errors. This is not a bad thing but as a result many tasks become very inefficient. They require use of the mouse, response to confirmation dialogs, or extra steps for simplicity.
Visual, easy to discover interface design tends to lock users into novice mode. “It was so easy to figure out how to do this that it must be the easiest way to do it.” As a result you see people using the application or context menu with the mouse to perform common functions for years when a keyboard shortcut would be much faster and more efficient. They never thought that the easy way to find the functionality may not not be the easy way to perform it.
I use a web browser extensively and it is a perfect example of novice usability lock in. Practically everyone I watch uses the mouse exclusively when the keyboard is often more efficient and natural. Because of the focus on mouse usage browsers don’t do a really good job of being keyboard friendly. One exception and little known browser keyboard option is in Firefox. It is actually an accessibility option for those who may have difficulty using a mouse. It is the “Search for text when I start typing” option found in the Advanced/General section of the preferences or options. When you type outside of a textbox it will simply find the text on the page. If the text is in a hyperlink the link will receive focus and pressing enter will navigate to the link. I use this extensively when browsing and is the main reason I won’t use other browsers.
Usability experts have done a commendable job of making computers and software accessible to the novice. Now I believe there needs to be a focus on transitioning novices into highly effective experts. The computer has moved from being a novelty, to being a useful tool, and now has become an integral part of many peoples lives. I look forward to how it will be made more accessible to experts in the future.
In order for a focus on expert usability to become more accessible I have some hardware design suggestions. First, get rid of that big honkin’ spacebar!! Replace it with a small one because we only use a small part of it anyway. Look for the worn spot on your spacebar and you will see. Next, put the control, option/alt, function, window/apple keys in the middle so they can be easily used by the thumbs. Thumbs are awesome but they can’t do anything on a standard keyboard except press the spacebar without moving your hands out of position. The current keyboard design is for typist using old fashion typewriters not for the myriad kinds of people using computers for every purpose under the sun. With these small changes keyboard combinations would become much simpler and you wouldn’t have to be a contortionist to pull them off.