>
I didn't say they need therapy. I said they feel frustrated. Since I hear people express these sentiments all the time, I'm very surprised that you don't.
>

Listen to people whine? Yes, I listen to it, when I have to. Then again, I tend to shut that sort of thing down quickly. If you have have not figured it out by now, I am not the type of person you want to whine/compain to...
>
They probably don't know the software very well, but my point is that they shouldn't have to know that much about the software. The software is just a tool to do their real jobs - that's where they're supposed to be experts.
>

Nice in theory... Has no basis in reality...

>We don't expect people to know very much about what's going on under the hood of a car to drive one. It's enough to know how to turn the thing on, put it in gear, press the accelerator and steer. Knowing how to use the brake is also useful. <g> The user interface of a car is many times easier to use than the user interface of most software. In addition, there's tremendous consistency from one car to the next. There are essentially only two major interface models to learn - automatic transmission and manual. Nobody would ever think of reversing the position of the gas and brake pedals "because it might look better that way." The variations that exist are minor ones - one manufacturer might have the gas pedal further up off the floor. (There are also variations when you come to less important controls and they're annoying when you rent or borrow a car.)
>

Interesting metaphor, but irrelevant...


>If you don't like Cooper, try reading Schneiderman or Neilsen.

Nahhh... I rely on personal experience and common sense. Acedemia is good, when taken in moderation....

>Why would the criteria for a good interface be any different just because we're talking about a web site?
>

Why does a good interface depend on the keyboard? You seem to imply it does..


>No, I didn't. I commented that I found the UT interface difficult. I also commented that I found many websites difficult for many of the same reasons. Why you'd think I was extrapolating from experiences with a few, I can't imagine.
>

Because of your generic statements about browser-based interfaces I suppose...


>"We" is users.
>On the second question, probably not high enough, but higher than we do for web sites.
>As for standards, I intentionally used a lower-case "s", not upper, meaning "that which we find acceptable," not "published standards." I do think that one of the accepted rules in application design today is that different users prefer different modes of input and applications should accomodate those preferences.
>

Sounds a little to general to me....

>JVP > Have you ever used the mouse wheel?
>
>TG >Yes, I have. I haven't decided yet whether I like it or not.
>
>JVP >Is it really *that* complicated of a decision????
>
>You asked if I'd used it. I have, but not much and not even to decide whether I like it. On the whole, I think the answer will be no, because it encourages me to rest my hand on the mouse, which is bad for carpal tunnel.
>

And that is exactly how you view the world. If it does not fit into your pre-conceived notion of what is right and wrong, it must be bunk. Forget that the rest of the world may find it useful. I have seen you in person. You are a very judgemental person by nature. I recall once when a discusson about folks who wait until they are 30+ to have kids. Your opinion was that those folks are making a mistake. I thought to my self "Who the hell is she to be so judgemental about what is obviously a very personal decision..." You techncial judgements are no different.

In other words, your objectvity is non-existient. Because of your position in the community, you need to separate your personal feelings from your technical judgements. Clearly, you cannot do this.

Again, this is what separates amateur from professionals....

>
I never indicted web interfaces. You chose to read my comments that I found many websites badly designed as such an indictment.
>

I don't know about that... I think you have been very general in many of your critisisms...