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Thread ID: 136179 2014-01-30 04:53:00 The Oracle says that business applications should be as easy to use as Facebook is. Webdevguy (17166) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1366427 2014-01-31 17:52:00 Apps for Dummies? R2x1 (4628)
1366428 2014-01-31 19:14:00 Apps for Dummies?
Why do you associate "dummies"as being the target market of any well designed app?

Please explain your rational.
Webdevguy (17166)
1366429 2014-01-31 19:21:00 Well that's what Fartbook is an app for dummies or should we just call it what it is Antisocial networking, few people go out and meet their friends face to face anymore, they hide behind anonymous profiles online :devil gary67 (56)
1366430 2014-01-31 19:41:00 Personally I agree with the principle if not his choice of examples. I think facebook is a confusing mess and not especially user friendly. I've turned of notifications on it so many times I've lost count and still they keep coming - I don't care what games other people are playing and no I don't want to try them.

Back to the business software, I use a range of programs designed for particular tasks by programmers with a limited understanding of the end user and which seem to pre-date the concepts of GUI's and user friendliness. The sort of applications that require a manual and training to use and still have you asking questions regularly for months while you get the hang of all the quirks. They are horrible, and none of them resemble each other. For one I have to push insert instead of enter to do a search, F4 to go back, and shift-F6 to "do" on another it's 99 enter to go back, F3 to exit, 97 to change printer. You get the picture.

On top of that searching is an arcane art form requiring input in a precise format with exactly the right syntax or you get no results. Did keyboards not have "enter" & "esc" keys when these applications were written? Is there something inherently wrong with using the keys people would expect to push for common functions? Did software developers used to delight it making things as painful as possible to use?

So yes based on my personal experience business software could be redesigned with user friendliness in mind, companies pay huge money for these apps and then get this terrible user experience. Some of them represent an investment of millions in buying the app and setting up/training/data input and are still a horrible white on black text based keyboard driven interface that no one can use without training. And there'd be no excuse for the add supported rubbish or phone home behaviours mentioned in corporate apps which are paid for up front at a premium.
dugimodo (138)
1366431 2014-01-31 19:44:00 Well that's what Fartbook is an app for dummies or should we just call it what it is Antisocial networking, few people go out and meet their friends face to face anymore, they hide behind anonymous profiles online :devil

I'd agree with the "anti social" aspects of social networking apps even if the concept is very handy for keeping in contact with friends and family spread across the world. :)
Webdevguy (17166)
1366432 2014-01-31 19:49:00 Personally I agree with the principle if not his choice of examples. I think facebook is a confusing mess and not especially user friendly. I've turned of notifications on it so many times I've lost count and still they keep coming - I don't care what games other people are playing and no I don't want to try them.

Back to the business software, I use a range of programs designed for particular tasks by programmers with a limited understanding of the end user and which seem to pre-date the concepts of GUI's and user friendliness. The sort of applications that require a manual and training to use and still have you asking questions regularly for months while you get the hang of all the quirks. They are horrible, and none of them resemble each other. For one I have to push insert instead of enter to do a search, F4 to go back, and shift-F6 to "do" on another it's 99 enter to go back, F3 to exit, 97 to change printer. You get the picture.

On top of that searching is an arcane art form requiring input in a precise format with exactly the right syntax or you get no results. Did keyboards not have "enter" & "esc" keys when these applications were written? Is there something inherently wrong with using the keys people would expect to push for common functions? Did software developers used to delight it making things as painful as possible to use?

So yes based on my personal experience business software could be redesigned with user friendliness in mind, companies pay huge money for these apps and then get this terrible user experience. Some of them represent an investment of millions in buying the app and setting up/training/data input and are still a horrible white on black text based keyboard driven interface that no one can use without training. And there'd be no excuse for the add supported rubbish or phone home behaviours mentioned in corporate apps which are paid for up front at a premium.

I agree, the ever changing aspects of the Facebook notification system can be frustrating although I have managed to turn a lot of my unwanted ones off.

I totally agree about the comparison of the old style business software vs the improved usability level of the current trend. :)
Webdevguy (17166)
1366433 2014-01-31 19:58:00 Of course software and web development languages have developed a lot more capability the late 90's which makes catering for the end user a lot easier whether it be with a web based application or a hand held one. User experience has also taken a higher priority and gained its own well paid job title. Webdevguy (17166)
1366434 2014-01-31 21:01:00 Apps for Dummies?


Already done :D

iPad-Apps-For-Dummies. (www.dummies.com)

Android Apps fro Dummies (www.dummies.com)

iPhone apps for Dummies (www.dummies.com)

The Dummies range of Books -- you know the things that have paper in them :horrified LOL are actually very good, they explain everything in non technical terms and the ones I've looked at are easy reading & everything is explained.
wainuitech (129)
1366435 2014-01-31 22:06:00 Already done :D

iPad-Apps-For-Dummies. (www.dummies.com)

Android Apps fro Dummies (www.dummies.com)

iPhone apps for Dummies (www.dummies.com)

The Dummies range of Books -- you know the things that have paper in them :horrified LOL are actually very good, they explain everything in non technical terms and the ones I've looked at are easy reading & everything is explained.
Very well done and yes they are good books :)
Webdevguy (17166)
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