Kitz Forum

Computer Software => General software => Topic started by: broadstairs on August 03, 2014, 11:04:44 AM

Title: Issues with so called GUI improvements
Post by: broadstairs on August 03, 2014, 11:04:44 AM
I guess this is a bit of a rant!!!

Can someone please explain why when a new piece of software comes out they seem to have to radically alter the human interface (Windows 8, recent Firefox updates etc)? I was having a discussion on this with my wife last night as she was complaining about the Firefox changes (I dare not show her the new W8 interface) as her buttons had moved/disappeared. Now she is quite a proficient user but has no idea how to change stuff when this happens, she also is dyslexic to a degree and finds it hard to remember symbols but remembers their function by position. Now I know that there are a lot of folks who are quite comfortable when this stuff changes and know ways of sorting it but for someone who just wants to turn on their computer and use it they expect (quite rightly in my view) for it to work the same way it did yesterday! I'm sure there must be thousands of folk just like my wife who find these sort of radical changes upsetting and annoying.

Stuart
Title: Re: Issues with so called GUI improvements
Post by: JGO on August 03, 2014, 11:15:41 AM
There are some IT people who get their intellectual satisfaction by changing things !
 
I was once pleased to see one quietly but firmly sorted out by an ergonomicist who reminded him that a system was a tool for people to use, including at 03.00 in the rain !
Title: Re: Issues with so called GUI improvements
Post by: kitz on August 03, 2014, 11:51:56 AM
I know how you feel and can sympathise.  My dad struggles too when anything changes and he's frequently straight on the phone.   

Firefox removing the toolbar by default caused a heck of a lot of confusion for lots of people.