Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ncr-sd!matt
From: matt@ncr-sd.SanDiego.NCR.COM (Matt Costello)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.wizards
Subject: Re: Request for human interface design anecdotes
Message-ID: <1943@ncr-sd.SanDiego.NCR.COM>
Date: 12 Dec 87 03:54:21 GMT
References: <10579@brl-adm.ARPA> <421@minya.UUCP> <19391@amdcad.AMD.COM>
Reply-To: matt@ncr-sd.SanDiego.NCR.COM (Matt Costello)
Organization: NCR Corporation, Rancho Bernardo
Lines: 21

The real problems in interface design generally occur because of
unstated assumptions.  We had a hilarious incident occur here
recently...

There is a plan here to put a PC on every desk, including those of
secretaries and managers.  So that each individual would not have
to waste time aquiring a decent editor and the other tools, a
package was put together containing 10 disks of software that was
PD or that we had a license for.  At the part of the installation
process where the files were to be copied on the hard disk, the
instructions said to insert each of the 10 disks into the floppy
disk drive.  Imagine our suprise when a worried secretary called
to say that she had been able to fit only 5 of the disks into the
disk drive.  Fortunately no damage occured and the instructions
were quickly changed.

Disclaimer: I don't have a PC, nor do I want one.
-- 
Matt Costello	
+1 619 485 2926	
		{sdcsvax,cbosgd,pyramid,nosc.ARPA}!ncr-sd!matt