Re: [Gimp-developer] [Gimp-user] Gimp for casual users

[Andreas Lemke <OpenSauce arcor de>]

Hi Peter,

I didn't mean to imply it is a fully controlled, scientifically valid 
study. So let's call it an experiment. Just a single data point. As such 
it doesn't prove anything. But it can be the beginning of more solid 
work. Maybe in our community, others are willing to contribute more 
experiments in a true open source effort. If there is interest, I might 
do more myself.

Your second point is about the target Gimp user population. It is stated 
that Gimp is not made for those you just wish to touch up a few holiday 
pictures. That seems to imply that Gimp is not for casual users. My 
personal feeling is that that would a pity for several reasons. One of 
them is that casual users might grow into power users/professionals. 
Something like that was the case for myself. I started by touching up 
photos and then discovered the power of the software to do more, e.g., 
Web art. I was in my apprenticeship but I didn't know it at that time.

So, what does it mean: software for professionals? Clearly it means 
powerful tools, fine-grained control, efficient working. We cannot trade 
these characteristics for support of casual users. We cannot simplify 
the program to the point that professionals are hampered. Nevertheless, 
we can set a challenge for ourselves. Every professional will start as a 
beginner. The challenge is: keep the power and still lower the learning 
curve. User interface designers know that there are many subtle ways to 
help beginners. One way of doing this is through affordances as they 
have been pioneered by D. A. Norman already in the 1980s.

Does this make sense?

Regards,

Andreas


Am 28.07.2012 19:20, schrieb peter sikking:
> Andreas Lemke wrote:
>
> > I have done a simple usability study with a novice Gimp user (only one, not 1000 :-). Would it be ok if I post it on gui.gimp.org?  But I would need to have an account. There doesn't seem to be an option to register.
>
> to be a usability study it needs to be a usability study.
>
> this does not take 1000 participants, one-way mirror labs and
> video cameras.
>
> but the bare minimum needs to be there:
>
> test participants recruited from the core user groups (these are well
> defined for GIMP, see: <http://gui.gimp.org/index.php/Vision_briefing>)
> yes, the participants can be serving their apprenticeships / be on
> the learning curve to the groups defined there, but on their way
> they must be.
>
> six or more participants (not the more the better, above 12 really the
> law of diminishing returns kicks in).
>
> beyond that a solid report with a clear test protocol description
> and clear outline of findings would convince me that it is really
> a usability study.
>
> usability folks know that, apart from the effort that goes into
> recruiting, what I ask for above is really easy, practical
> and minimal.
>
> when really a usability study was done or will get done, we can
> talk about how that can go into gui.gimp.org
>
>      --ps
>
>          founder + principal interaction architect
>              man + machine interface works
>
>          http://blog.mmiworks.net: on interaction architecture
>
>
>
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