Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!dali.cs.montana.edu!ogicse!qiclab!percy!m2xenix!servio!marcs
From: marcs@slc.com (Marc San Soucie)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.x
Subject: Re:  Question for net.view
Message-ID: <1991Apr3.220402.3536@slc.com>
Date: 3 Apr 91 22:04:02 GMT
References: <9104011653.AA18584@marvin.pbi.com>
Organization: Servio Corporation
Lines: 33

Richard M. Goldstein writes:

> 	>Do we need a single GUI standard?
>
> Since application programmers have no formal background in graphic design
> or human factors, we are not qualified to make constructive decisions for
> human interface.  We should stick to programming and leave design to the
> qualified designers.

Boy, does this wrankle my wrinkles. How about restating it thus:

    Since many application programmers have little formal background in
    graphic design or human factors, we are probably not as qualified to make
    constructive decisions for human interface as those who have a lot of
    formal training.

Your implication that "mere programmers" have no human interface design skills
is laughable. While formal training can increase one's knowledge base and
improve one's skills, the lack of formal training in this or any discipline
does not preclude the development of skills through other means such as, for
time-honored example, experience.

IE, when I meet a human interface designer who can do a better job than I can,
and when that human interface designer volunteers or is paid to do my human
interface design, I will bow down and get out of the way. Until then, I expect
to do my own bloody human interface design.

Time to stop worshipping training and start respecting ability.

    Marc San Soucie
    Servio Corporation
    Beaverton, Oregon
    marcs@slc.com