In The Humane Interface, Raskin goes into detail describing how computers can be made easier to understand and use. Ever want to know why you really don't like Windows? The answer is in this book. In fact, there's so much in this book that makes sense, I really want to send a copy to every employee at Microsoft.
I loved reading this book and nodding my head in rabid agreement. Raskin states, "There has never been any technical reason for a computer to take more than a few seconds to begin operation when it is turned on." So why then does Windows (or Linux!) take so darn long to start up? The PalmPilot is on instantly, as is your cell phone. But for some reason, we tolerate the computer taking a few eons to start. (And until consumers complain about it, things won't change.)
Computers can be easy to use, and the people who design them and design software need to read this book. Do you ever get the impression that the person who designed a piece of software must have come from the same company that designed the front panel on your VCR? Why should you have to double-click anything? What does Ctrl+D mean one thing in one program and a completely different thing in another? And what's the point of the Yes/No confirmation if the user is in the habit of clicking Yes without thinking about it? Raskin neatly probes all these areas.
While I admire everything Raskin has to say, the book is pretty heavy on the psychology end. Myself, I enjoy cognitive psychology (especially books by Raskin's cohort Donald Norman), though some may find that part of the book boring. Even so, Raskin builds and backs his argument in a most eloquent and scientific manner. Especially if you design software or need to teach or train people to use computers, this book deserves a spot on your shelf. --Dan Gookin
]]>本書はちまたにあふれるユーザーインタフェースデザインガイドではない。認知工学の手法を用いて、人間が機械や道具を操作する際の意識の働きや、操作の習熟が行動に与える影響など、マン・マシン・インタフェースの本質的な問題を、科学的なアプローチで解説しており、目からうろこが落ちる思いである。また、現在最も成功しているグラフィカルユーザーインタフェースが宿命的に持つ問題点を暴き出している。私たちは悪くなかったのだ。
ユーザーインタフェースの今後の方向性を示唆し、未来形を語った本書。ソフトウェアデベロッパーのみならず、コンピュータと人間とのかかわりあいに興味を持つエンドユーザーにも、新たな知見を提供してくれるに違いない。（福島紀行）
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