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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:
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| |||
Choose one colour, and one only!!! |
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 | 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. | |||
December 1999
· Border Line
· Balance
· Simple
· Shot
· Breakpoint
· February 2000
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