February "Fast Company" article Kari Fruechte

"Software Doesn't Have to Crash", by Lisa Chadderdon, Fast Company, p. 64-65, Feb/March, 1999.

When I read this article, I knew the author was out to make me feel better! I had to comment, because it spelled out exactly the way I feel about software programs. The executives that were interviewed pointed out that we are letting computer wizards design software that will likely be used by people like me, who enjoy technology, but are no where near commited enough to learn every aspect of what most programs have to offer.

It sounds like there are some companies now who are really trying to cater more to the common person who uses a computer. I would think that would be a pretty big market. One software design firm mentioned doesn't employ a single computer programmer on its staff. They are trying to make software that gets right to the point, so you can spend more time using it than trying to figure out how to use it. Amen! They feel that many current programs on the market try to offer too many features and options. It would be much more user-friendly to offer one program that fills one need.

I have some great concerns about the division line that Alan Cooper, a software company owner, cited. He claims that we keep creating a divided society; those who can use technology on one side, and those who can't on the other. And that happens to divide neatly along economic lines. That division is one that some say will be the downfall of our country. The "haves" keep getting more, the "have-nots" keep getting more left out. Being a person who has always considered herself somewhere in the middle, I wonder where that leaves me? The particular company in this article felt strongly that if people don't start designing programs to be more user-friendly, even more people will be left out.

In discussing this article with my brother, who has traveled most of his adult life into some pretty poor countries, he had a very interesting perspective. He becomes very concerned at the prospect of low-income, low-education folks being left behind in this technology revolution. If much of our business and education takes place over the Internet, how can citizens of countries like Mexico and Honduras compete in the markets and with trade? He sees a very definite line between high class and low class, with little room in between. Hes very interesting to talk with and could write volumes on his travels!

The main point for me and others I work with seems to be finding programs that do the tasks they advertise in a neat, concise format thats easy to learn. There is nothing as frustrating than coming to work knowing you have a specific block of time, and then having to spend a high percentage of it figuring out your computer program!!

-- Anonymous, February 26, 1999

Answers

Kari,

I was really intrigued by your article, for a couple of reasons.

First of all, the issue of software useability is one that is becoming more and more talked about. Recently there was a joke circulating that had Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, talking at a car manufacturers meeting and telling the car manufacturers that if they had been as progressive as the computer industry we would be driving cars at 500 miles per hour and the cars would be able to find their own way to wherever we wanted them to go. The car manufacturers responded by saying that if they were to use the computer industry as a model, we would have to buy a brand new car every few years just to be able to drive on the latest highways, and once there we would be driving along and our cars would suddenly die for no apparent reason at all, which we would just accept, proceed to restart the car and drive on.

Microsoft is facing a possible threat to its dominance in the software market from a piece of software called Linux, and one of Linux's huge strengths is it's simplicity and effectiveness at getting the job done.

The other point I found incredibly interesting is the subject of technology "haves" and "have-nots" and how this will impact our society. One factor related to this that I have been interested in is what personality or learning style factors keep people from pursuing computer training. So far I have found that most computer learning by adults seems to be self directed, or at the very least requires the self motivation to seek out and attend a class. My guess is that some people simply do not learn about computers because self directed/motivated learning does not work for them. Also, learning computers usually requires the learner to use visual and logic skills to learn. One of the things I hope to learn is how to make the learning "work" for as many different kinds of people as possible.

As a side note, a former employee here in the Goodhue County Extension Office is now living and working as a missionary in Honduras, and as you indicated, we have no concept of the poverty in countries like Honduras and technology will just magnify that. He was here last summer as an Acting Educator, and bought a computer to take home with him to Honduras. Although internet access is available, the cost is extremely high, especially as compared to here in the U.S., and he is yet to go on-line for that very reason. The average Honduran makes $2 a day, and that is about what it costs to buy food for a day - obviously buying a computer and going online is in the category of impossible for most of the citizens there.

Thanks for your summary.

Todd

-- Anonymous, March 12, 1999