[Tfug] 2 weeks of Hackintosh fun..

[Andrew Ayre]

I also design, implement, support and maintain products, and I agree 
100% with your comments below.

Andy

Bexley Hall wrote:
> 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!  :-/


-- 
Andy
PGP Key ID: 0xDC1B5864