-=> Quoting Stephen Atkins to Sean Dennis <=-

 > 
 > I've read the current threads in here and let me just say this:
 > 
 > "It used to be smart people using dumb computers.
 >  It's now dumb people using smart computers.
 > 
 >  Thanks, Microsoft."
 > 
 > (author unknown)
 > 

 SA> I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place here.  Since I'm a VB
 SA> programmer by trade I have to write to the lowest common user.  Which
 SA> usually means my programs look and run like crap because people just
 SA> don't know how to use them.  They don't get simple things like the tab
 SA> button to move to the next field (or Shift-Tab to go back).  And just
 SA> when you think you have it so its some what intuitive to use.  They
 SA> tell you they have no idea how to use the program.  And forget about
 SA> putting a help file with it.  They can't read either!

    It is improving though.  I program in over 26 languages for over
    2 decades now.  Back in the old days we'd have to have or the
    company would pay for classes to teach the programs.  This
    would be part of the program life cycle.  Mid 90s it went down
    to maybe 40% of the time we'd have to have classes.  In some ways
    Windoze helps and other ways hinders.  For the idiot users who
    don't want to open a book or learn windoze is fine for click click
    clickers.  Now that I have my own programming firm we have secret
    shortcuts in our programs we put in and never tell them out right
    about it.  They are documented in help files and other areas. Onl
    about 5% of the users find them and love 'em. :)  So in some ways
    the world is improving.  Give it another 20 years and everyone
    should have enough Computer 101 knowledge.  Give it another
    generation and likely everyone would by then know how to press
    F1 for help :)








... "There is nothing to mediate, Delenn." - G'Kar
--- Fringe BBS