We still _need_ each other... (Was Oregon again...)

[Boyd R. Collins]

I think Bill Crosbie was trying to make exactly the same point - that only
through partnering can computer scientists make interfaces that are truly
easy-to-use.  In fact, he seemed to be arguing precisely against the
position that computer scientists should design everything in isolation from
the end user.  But it is overlooked all too often that this requires a
certain commitment on the part of the end-user - to be sensitive to the
limitations of current technology, as well as to take an interest in
human-computer interface design issues that may occasionally overflow the
strict bounds of the job description.  

>Sorry, I've lost who said this:
>>The truth of the matter is that we need each other.  Computer scientists,
>>such as myself, need to be involved in making sure that the systems that are
>>designed are easy to use, robust, and meet the needs of patrons and
>>librarians.  Librarians need to be open to the notion that other disciplines
>
>Am I the only librarian on this list that shudders (or laughs)
>at the idea of computer programmers making sure they design
>"easy to use" systems?
>
>Just as librarians have to be more aware of their own need to work
>with computer folk, the computer folk have to face that they need
>input on interface design from the people who use the stuff -
>programmers are known for thinking that the programmer in the next
>cubicle is a good person to ask whether a new whatever they're writing
>is easy to use. In my work with our computer center on our campus
>web, I see this "I the programmer think it's easy to use, so it must
>be" all too often.
>
>By the way, I'm deliberately blurring the line between computer
>programmers and computer scientists because the line is blurred
>in practical terms in the workplace (a lot of programmers I know
>call themselves computer scientists, but they haven't studied
>anything to do with the theory of interface design, for instance).
>
>
>-----------
>Melissa Silvestre  silvest at umslvma.umsl.edu
http://www.umsl.edu/~silvest/index.html (314) 516-5059  
>Univ of Missouri-St. Louis, Thomas Jefferson Library - Reference 
>My writings do not reflect the official position of UMSL.
>Commercial use of this electronic message is prohibited without specific
consent. Permission for unlimited non-commercial use is hereby given.
>
>
>


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Boyd R. Collins, Automation Manager, The Libraries
Mansfield University                        
Mansfield PA 16933                
(717) 662-4668                      
(717) 662-4993 FAX                
bcollins at epix.net
home page: http://www.mnsfld.edu/depts/lib/index.html