Why are computers difficult to use?
Onlangs promoveerde Leonard Verhoef aan de Universiteit Leiden op de redenen waarom ontwerpers hun gebruikers niet kunnen begrijpen. De laatste stelling die hij verdedigde luidde: "Het was eenvoudiger geweest als God de mens geschapen had naar beeld en gelijkenis van Windows." Zijn proefschrift geeft hij nu in eigen beheer uit.
'Why are computers difficult to use? It is so easy to design a user-friendly computer' explains why computers are user-unfriendly and how to design user-friendly computers. First applied cognitive psychology is analysed. This science should know how to design user-friendly computers. A synthetic approach, including traditional ergonomic topics as character size and contrast is elaborated. The approach is tested on the design of ticket vending machines and dynamic train indicators. The results found are applied to a broad range of interfaces including computer interfaces. A comparison with other cognitve psychological approaches is used for a theoretical validation. Finally the approach is tested using the approach itselve. It is suggested not technicians, designers or managers are to blame for user-unfriendly designs but cognitive psychology.
Nederlandstalige samenvattting is beschikbaar.