Quote: Originally Posted by darwiniandude
The only real test would be to take a large section of people who have never used a computer ever, split them into two groups and see which group gets to terms with which machine quicker. What is the point??
Actually that isn't exactly a good test either. Just sitting anyone in front ANY interface (not even specific to computers) will almost always return poor results. They need to have a task that the interface provides first. Even the most advanced users of one system need (beyond the task) pointers of how to get started on a new system.
The real questions are:
1) How hard was it for them to pick up the new ways to perform the same tasks?
2) Once they have used the new interface for a significant period of time (relative to the task they are performing), which interface do they find better?
I remember way back when I did my first Linux install (back in the early 90s when it was still a hackers OS and a PITA to install). I fought through the install and changed out a bunch of hardware to get it to work. Then when I finally got X running, I just stared at it because I didn't know WTF to do with it. I also remember when M$ moved from 3.11 to 95. Most people hated the new interface and thought it was less productive, but after using it awhile it was hard to find anyone that was wishing for 3.x back
And when I got my first OSX Mac, I didn't know what to do with it at first (I never did figure out what to do with my old first series 6100).
-dave