[Tfug] 2 weeks of Hackintosh fun..

[Bexley Hall]

Hi, Andrew,

--- On Sun, 11/9/08, Andrew Ayre <andy at britishideas.com> wrote:

> I'm sorry your experiences of Windows and Linux have
> been so different to mine, but I'm afraid we will have
> to agree to disagree. I hope you can respect my opinion, as
> I respect yours.

Of *course* I respect your opinion!  I am merely stating my
observations on this subject.

I am *keenly* sensitive to "problems" in products -- be they
software, hardware, documentation, or some combination thereof.
So, I am always eager to argue "why" (i.e., my opinion thereof)
these things appear to occur.  (I design "products" so I am
always looking for issues that I can embrace or avoid to make
those products "better" -- whatever *that* means!  :> )

Sometimes, it is cultural.  (e.g., when Robotron? was released in
Germany, dead players were signified by a skull and crossbones.
Apparently this was a huge faux pas and had to be "fixed").

Sometimes generational.  (e.g., some microwave ovens had "dials"
to set the cook time since older users were more comfortable
turning a dial than typing in a number)

Sometimes its related to the application domain.  (e.g., I designed
a medical device with the acronym "PID" -- only to discover that
this can also refer to an unsavory medical condition)

Sometimes it's a screwup on the part of the "developer" (manufacturer?).
(e.g., the cord from the "base" to my soldering iron exits the base
on the "wrong" side -- apparent as soon as you USE it but I guess
it wasn't when they designed it!)

Other times, incorrect expectations from the user.  E.g., users
*seem* to always be drawn to things that are "infinitely flexible"
(read "flexible" as "configurable") -- until they actually *use*
them!  Then, they seem to be "too complicated" and they express
dissatisfaction with the product.

Unfortunately, any time you "miss" when you try to meet the
user's needs/expectations, you lose a sale/credibility/etc.
The more you can understand about why a product is good/bad,
the better chance you have of improving *your* product!  :-/