Alfa ebook manager

[slm]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

MacOS is not user friendly.

Not anymore.
Originally, that was the whole point.

[codrut_popescu]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

The notion that at UI should be instantaneously intuitive (no research or learning curve) to a new user is ludicrous to me. Every added capability will be something a user will need to familiarize themselves with. We've become tricked (mainly by non-programmer UI "experts") into believing that there's some magic UI practice which will render a user guide unnecessary -- regardless of the complexity of an application's functions/features. If you want to know how to truly use an application: RTFM and/or experiment with it.

A good tool is transparent to the user and the user should only focus on what he is doing not on how to use the tool.

[mbovenka]

Originally Posted by codrut_popescu

A good tool is transparent to the user and the user should only focus on what he is doing not on how to use the tool.

Sounds nice, but is utterly impossible with a tool as powerful and multi-functional as Calibre is. Such a tool simply needs a bit of figuring out, much like the aforementioned word processors or spreadsheets.

That doesn't mean internal consistency doesn't help with that. I can't count the times I have been asked 'I want to do <X>, but I don't know how' in a program I hadn't seen before, I clicked around for a few seconds, and said 'See? There it is.'

And the reaction always is 'But you said you didn't know that program!'. Yeah, I didn't, but I know user interfaces after playing around with them for 40+ years. That helps. Knowing the system, not the program.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by codrut_popescu

A good tool is transparent to the user and the user should only focus on what he is doing not on how to use the tool.

Nonsense. Complicated, multi-use tools require a learning phase. Always. A hammer is not a CNC machine. A good tool becomes transparent with use. It doesn't start that way.

The notion that all of any complex program's features/capabilities should reveal themselves to a user through some sort of magical UI osmosis is misguided. It's OK if you have no desire to learn how to use complex pieces of software, but perhaps just say that instead of blaming your lack of motivation on imaginary notions that you shouldn't have to.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Nonsense. Complicated, multi-use tools require a learning phase. Always. A hammer is not a CNC machine. A good tool becomes transparent with use. It doesn't start that way.

The notion that all of any complex program's features/capabilities should reveal themselves to a user through some sort of magical UI osmosis is misguided. It's OK if you have no desire to learn how to use complex pieces of software, but perhaps just say that instead of blaming your lack of motivation on imaginary notions that you shouldn't have to.

yes!



Tools that need serious study even if expert in the field
CAD (2D or 3D)
Schematic Capture
PCB layout
Professional DTP/Content management (big publisher)
High end photo editing
Professional Video Editing
Professional Audio editing (DAW).
Visual Basic 5 to 6 and Visual c# or Vb.net , iOS and Android if only ever done console or embedded programming.
QT C++ framework

Tools that need proper training/study if you never used them:
Writer going from Typewriter or old Wordstar style text editor to modern wordprocessor with styles and outlining
Bookkeeper to spreadsheet or Accounts package.
Basic accounts package to corporate one
paper office clerk from time-sheets to payroll.


Subjects that need professional training in subject even before using program at all:
Mechanical Engineering design
Machinist
Electronics Engineer
Accounting
Project management
Professional photography, videography, audio, studio etc.
Publishing process
Programming (Server, Web, Desktop, phone, embedded are quite different).
Radio propagation / Communication engineering.
Databases, especially multi-user client-server

Most of the supporting software tools are not instantly intuitive and have at least a few days solid learning curve for someone expert.