User Friendly?

It is well worth considering that what you and I think is “user-friendly” may not necessarily be so when others should see your site or use your programs.

The Arrival of GUI’s

GUI is short for Graphical User Interface, and there are certain standards within the Windows system for OLE [= Object Linking and Embedding]. For most users this is quite quickly seen because F1 usually has the same function in most Windows-programmes – Help.

User Considerations In The Past

Previously menus were custom-tailored according to the whims of the programmer.

Nowadays, standards have been introduced in such a manner that most people know what is hidden behind “Files”, “Edit”, “View” and “Help”. 90% of menus are fairly identical that way. When you know one, you know most of them.

Don’t Over-Do It!

Most programs are also sold with menu lines consisting of icons. Each of these are also widely used and in that manner they enhance user-friendliness of most systems. Yet, as can be seen, from the screen dump above, you can over-do things to such an extent that you loose your way.

Adapt to YOUR Needs

As will be known to most of us nerds, the most efficient system you can ever get is a system that is personally adapted to your specific needs. You and I may use very different icon menus, but we always have favourites. Just like Photoshop. Having the right windows ready – at hand – is essential to getting things done.

When you visit a friend – who’s quite probably organized things very differently [alas.... :'-(] – you find that things are not exactly as efficient as when you are at your own machine.

Don’t worry about that. You will grow more and more accustomed to seeing other setups, but computers indeed live up to the adage: “Home Is Best!”