OT:What makes a good interface?

[Dwight]

A good interface is…

-- one that responds to the way I think.

-- one that makes ANYTHING happen in ONE CLICK
[If I can buy a book at amazon with one click…?]

-- one that…

Your turn.

[__archiben]

Dwight wrote:
-- one that…

. . . teaches me those aspects of the application that i don't already know by clearly, intuitively and consistently demonstrating process.

an' it's gotta look good too.

~/archiben

[Anonymous]

..is not overwhelming, and designed by a team that believes in the beauty of simplicity. (sketchup)

..can get out of the way when you need it to(photoshop/indesign)

..is 100% customizable (Cinema 4D)

[Anonymous]

The common tasks are easy, obvious and immediately available.

It is set up to work properly and sensibly out of the box.

Less common tasks are made available in a layered and logical structure. That is they may take a little more work but that work is promptly rewarded.

Really complex tasks and advanced customization is supported by robust management tools.

As much as possible everything is self documented.

[Dwight]

"Robust."

That is us.
A bunch of sissies at keyboards.

[David Collins]

one that...
Maximizes the drawing window and doesn't look like a windshield with a dozen or so parking violations glued to the glass.

[Anonymous]

Dwight wrote:
"Robust."

That is us.
A bunch of sissies at keyboards.

Who you callin' a tool?

[Dwight]

Yeah, you… Big Nose.

[stefan]

one that allows you to get out of the way, once you know your way around the system.

--> efficient commands that are attached to a nice set of keyboard shortcuts.

--> dock pallettes if you like, float them if you like, hide them if you like. Don't force one GUI system on us.

--> no modal dialogs: keep the rest of the application accessible when you are editing items in dialogs

--> provide plenty of space for the work area. With the return to lower resolutions (websites, laptops, etc...) we can not work comfortably in 1600x1200 anymore. My old CRT monitor can do this, but not my new and clean flatscreen... (typing on 1280x854 now)

--> make the Windows version feel and look like Windows and the Mac version feel and look like a real Mac version

[James Murray]

Dwight wrote:
-- one that…

is consistent. What works here works there. This Working is a subset of the platform/OS UI. So internally and externally consistent.

Nothing OT about it.