On Sun, 16 Oct 2011 15:53:41 -0700, Darren New wrote:

> On 10/16/2011 15:34, Jim Henderson wrote:
>> On Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:52:52 +0100, Invisible wrote:
>>
>>>>> Oh, tremendously. But they're still a PITA compared to Windows'
>>>>> explorer, methinks.
>>>>
>>>> Depends entirely on what you're used to.
>>>
>>> Not /entirely/, no. Many things are subjective, but not all of them.
>>
>> When it comes to user selection of tools, yes, they are.  If I find
>> something easy to use, who are you to tell me "no, that's not easy"?
> 
> I think it's safe to say that there are things that are easier for the
> vast majority of people. If 99% of everyone finds A easier than B, and
> indeed if B provides a subset of the functionality of A with more work,
> then B is indeed superior to A.
> 
> For example, a UI that locks up the interface for 30 seconds each time
> you insert a CD is inferior to an interface that is identical except
> doesn't lock up when you insert a CD.

It depends on the use case in most instances.  I suppose there are 
instances where one could say "yes, shooting yourself in the foot with 
a .22 calibre pistol is more user friendly than finding an RPG to do the 
job."

However, saying that using Explorer is easier than using find or locate 
is ridiculous.  I type much faster than I use the mouse.

Similarly, using voice commands with a phone might be faster for some 
people, whereas using the touch interface might be faster for others.  
Case in point, a friend of mine and I were looking up a phone number.  He 
used his blackberry and tried to say the name of the business.  I used my 
android phone and pulled up Google Maps and entered the name of the 
business.

I got a result first.

Had he been in a quieter place, he might have gotten a result first.

If he'd been English, though, he might well not have received his results 
first no matter what (I have heard from a few Brits that voice 
recognition doesn't work so well for them).

There's no objective way to say which is "better" in this case.

Jim

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