Simple

Monday, 17 January 2000
Kever has sent me a theorem that I would like to share with you:
The complexity of a computer program
is inversely proportional
to the skill level of the programmers.
I regret to agree with this theorem. What a shame to miss a fierce discussion on this subject. I even agree more than expected: The theorem is well applicable outside the world of programming: The Design of Everyday Things
  • A complex database is often the result of a messing database designer.
  • A pile of rocks and grit looks much more complex than a sculpture. Yet I respect a sculptor far more than a hooligan.
  • Complex household appliances do not attract me. I prefer to by things to which the designer has given some thought, rather than having to puzzle about it myself.
Lots of software is made by geeks who love to solve complex puzzles. They fail to understand that users get frustrated by their software. The user is not to blame, but the dabbler who designed the software. A few examples, ranging from complex to simple.
Choose one colour, and one only!!!
red
green
blue
This design causes confusion. The design invites the user to choose multiple colours. Wrong! Only one colour is allowed. So says the instruction on the left hand side with all the exclamation marks. But who reads instructions?

Be aware of 'masters of disasters' who want to correct these design errors with extensive instructions, error messages or disabled check boxes. They may easy things difficult and have to resort to a programming language if they fail to do their job with HTML.

Colour
This alternative is much better. The user simply can't go wrong. The user does need to click twice. First to see the choices, and seondly to choose.
Colour
red
green
blue
Simple, yet effective. All possibilities are on screen. One single click is enough to make a choice.
Simplicity runs the web. Complexity increases the chances for failure (.../a.html#airplane_rule). Yahoo (www.yahoo.com) has multiplied profits last year. Why? Because the Yahoo screens are simple and easy to use. A difficult site scares customers away. An easy site attracts extra customers. Simplicity boosts E-Commerce (.../computimes/...).

The Dutch holiday resort Grandorado (www.grandorado.com) gives a great example of an easy to use site. The Dutch version offers an auction (www.grandorado.com/veiling.html) where you can bid on a bungalow holiday with just one click. Simple and easy. I close with a counter theorem:

The complexity of a computer language
is inversely proportional
to the skill level of the programmers who love it.
I don't trust the C++ lovers. That language is unnecessary complex. A JAVA scribbler is ok. An enthousiastic Smalltalk virtuoso immediately gains my confidence. And someone who really knows the ins and outs of HTML is beyond any doubt.

Till next Nut!
Nut