rocknbil - 3:40 pm on Sep 19, 2009 (gmt 0)

Before I begin, I have to agree with you, but my reply may not look that way.

As a programmer, my answer is that what we are doing as programmers is attempting to automate a process that anyone can do if they take the time to learn it, but they don't want to take the time to learn it, they want to click a button and cash the checks.

Example: html markup is the simplest "language" anyone can learn, a small set of keywords (img src) between carats (<>) to affect the layout and presentation of a page. But clients demand they should be able to click a button and edit a page, they should have complete control over what can be some fairly complex layout issues, it should do all the work for them, it should have no security vulnerabilities, and they shouldn't have to read or learn anything. It should be up to us to lead them by the hand with graphic representations of tasks.

There are hundreds of times I've encountered this response. "When I do [this] it should do [that]." Well, I'm sorry. Computers are not human brains. There are no built in behaviors, they have to be programmed, and I'd be happy to add that but it is going to take some time to solve it and code it - are you willing to extend your budget for this? Invariably, the response is no, I'll settle to complain about how "I never really got what I wanted, so you can't be very good."

The simplest tasks - insert spoon in bowl, scoop cereal, set spoon on path to mouth without losing balance and spilling, open mouth, insert spoon, close mouth, remove spoon, chew, swallow - all have to be programmed, and it is very seldom a simple task to automate what is a simple tasks to the human brain. You have to code, then predict error in user action, manage those errors in some way that the end user will "get it" and unfortunately, the standard method of communication - TEXT MESSAGES - often fails. In response to the message "An error has occurred, your credit card was declined" site owners often receive messages that are always the same: "I tried to order on your site but it won't let me."

My point is that what you call "usability" may or may not be a problem with the programming, interface, or related functions. I completely agree with you that a lot of solutions are duct taped together and a total mess, but for the most part, in my solutions, I can account for a good deal of complaints simply because the user doesn't want to do the work. "I'm not a computer geek like you, make it simple."

I tried to. But you have to meet me halfway. :-)