The Use of Iambic Pentameter in the
The Use of Iambic Pentameter in the
The Use of Iambic Pentameter in the
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Time Course <strong>of</strong> Perceptual Group<strong>in</strong>g In <strong>Use</strong>r Interface Displays<br />
In Donald Norman’s “<strong>The</strong> Design <strong>of</strong> Everyday Th<strong>in</strong>gs,” a c<strong>of</strong>feepot by Jacques<br />
Carelman illustrates <strong>the</strong> notion that some designs simply work better than o<strong>the</strong>rs. At first<br />
glance, we may th<strong>in</strong>k that Carelman’s c<strong>of</strong>feepot looks normal; it has a body, a handle, a<br />
lid and a spout. But at second glance, we realize that <strong>the</strong> c<strong>of</strong>feepot has a great design<br />
flaw. Namely, <strong>the</strong> spout and <strong>the</strong> handle are on <strong>the</strong> same side. This c<strong>of</strong>feepot is a simple<br />
demonstration that even <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>stances <strong>in</strong> which an object has very few parts, <strong>the</strong> design and<br />
organization <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se parts can make a dramatic difference on how useful <strong>the</strong> object can<br />
be.<br />
Our world is filled with countless examples <strong>of</strong> how an object’s usefulness can be<br />
determ<strong>in</strong>ed by <strong>the</strong> organization <strong>of</strong> its design. Modern computers are no exception.<br />
Computers with well-organized functions are easier to <strong>in</strong>teract with and easier to use.<br />
But how can we def<strong>in</strong>e <strong>the</strong> optimal organization for modern computer functions? <strong>The</strong><br />
answer to this question is not entirely clear. As a society, we have witnessed a rapid<br />
progress <strong>in</strong> computerized technology that has yielded a multitude <strong>of</strong> newfound<br />
capabilities. However, <strong>the</strong> realization <strong>of</strong> this progress has permitted us little time to th<strong>in</strong>k<br />
about how to best organize <strong>the</strong>se capabilities, hastily compromis<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> usability <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se<br />
mach<strong>in</strong>es.<br />
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