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Subject:THANKS: Programmers and Usability From:Suzanne Townsend <ac158 -at- CHEBUCTO -dot- NS -dot- CA> Date:Tue, 3 Mar 1998 11:09:34 -0400
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this discussion. It's been very
helpful, and I believe the question has been answered: usually,
programmers *do* care about usability. What rang most true for me was that:
-- Programmers look at problems based on what will work most efficiently
given a particular programming language and platform. Unfortunately it
means many have a hard time considering their work from the point of
view of a user who knows none of this.
-- Each programmer usually work[s] on [part of the software package].
It is understandably hard for them to see the forest when focusing on a
couple of trees.
-- Programmers are not necessarily GUI design experts -- and don't
necessarily get the proper direction, either.
I will definitely read "Close to the Machine" by Ellen Ullman.
