WebWord.com Newsletter Issue #42

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ISSUE #42

7-February-2000

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                WebWord.com Newsletter
              "Usability & the Internet"
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                      List Owner 
                    John S. Rhodes 
                   John@WebWord.com
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February 8, 2000                    Newsletter #42
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                    Special Issue!

         The Myth of the Stupid User (Revisited)

         A follow up interview with Gerry Gaffney
         
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A follow up interview with Gerry Gaffney is now online:
--> http://webword.com/interviews/gaffney2.html

"The Myth of the Stupid User (Revisited)"

I recently told you about a WebWord.com interview 
with Gerry Gaffney entitled Myth of the Stupid User.
Well, a few people wrote me about the interview. They
asked me to interview Gerry again so that he'd have 
the opportunity to really get a chance to dig into
his ideas. Several of you wanted Gerry to expound
on his answers. So, here's what I asked him:

  * How are products confusing, rude, and belittling? 

  * Technology fails to be good and simple for users. 
    Are the designers and engineers behind the scenes 
    failing users too? 

  * Tell us more about the Myth of the Stupid User.  
    Exactly what is it? What does it really mean? 

  * Let's assume that a user is not an expert using a 
    particular product. How can designers better 
    develop a product that can be used by that 
    non-expert (or "stupid") user? What works? Please 
    give us advice and guidance. 

You'll not be disappointed with this interview. 
Gerry Gaffney's intelligence really shines through.

You can read the interview here:
--> http://webword.com/interviews/gaffney2.html


(Loyal readers: Thank you for your excellent feedback
and suggestions. Without your prodding, we would have
not had a chance for Gerry to really speak his mind.)


---- End of WebWord.com Usability Newsletter #42 ------

(c)1998-2000 by John S. Rhodes. All rights reserved.

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