Ubuntu is getting more amazing with each release but it still has some basic usability problems. And that's hard to avoid: no matter what interface layout you choose, chances are some people are going to be confused. One place I see this a lot with users is in preference windows where the various options might not be well-enough labelled to make their actions clear to the non-geek user.
Remember how Windows used to have a "?" button next to the minimize, maximize, and close buttons on many windows? I haven't seen it around in a while - certainly not in Ubuntu. But now I'm starting to think that it might be worthwhile to make it a norm for windows to have that "?" button there.
If layout designers expected that "?" button to be there, they will probably be more likely to add in helpful tool tips that explain exactly what each button and checkbox does in case the basic label doesn't make it clear. The user can click the "?", then clicks the field in question, and the explanation pops up.
This would be a slight change in standards which would encourage developers to include the "?" button in their GUI windows, and would force developers to put a little more thought into dummyproof program design. Whadya think?
Tags:
(none)
