IDEA:
Create GUI explorer application (exe/flash/web) that present computer services (address book, schedule, multimedia, structured data, emails, IM, web, etc...) in very simplified and accessible way (as for seniors and mentally disabled).
PURPOSE:
Take unnecessary details of computer system implementation away from busy or dummy user and let person concentrate on what matters most w/o getting into file system, drivers, settings, and other technical and maintenance details. This way busy person will save time and disabled person will have less stress using computer and network services.
PROBLEM:
Current computer-human interfaces simultaneously pursue two independent goals:
1) Make interface (explorer) visually pleasing and easy to use.
2) Keep interface functional nought for computer administration purposes.
Basically, function-rich UI controls made for tech savvy people who do not need fancy stuff so much. Geeks going to survive with command line anyway.
Fancy UI might be liked by mid-level users, but they do not fully utilize all the functionality offered and sometimes even confused by lot of choices and controls.
And the worst - beginners and seniors are left with no suitable GUI because they do not understand basic information technology concepts and/or physically unable to use controls offered.
SOLUTION:
Develop very simplified shell (explorer) application for personal computers that will expose only services with no technical or maintenance details. UI should be simple, intuitive and accessible like ATM menus.
EXTENSION:
Due loose coupling between UI concepts and underlying hardware such solution can be implemented as
SaaS or web application.
LINKS:
http://www.useit.com/papers/heuristic/heuristic_list.html
Labels: datanavigation, idea, webdev
