Monday, November 26, 2007

One Step Forward in Technology, A Giant Leap Backwards in Functionality

When software developers went to a GUI (Graphic User Interface) design for their financial accounting systems, everyone was excited.  Both young MBA’s and Geeks had demanded GUI for screen navigation.  A click here, a double click there, and all would be right with the world.

Of course, these geniuses never checked with the people that actually USE the system.  Suddenly, it took longer to add employees, pay invoices, and post receipts.  Why?  Because clerks have to move to the next field by using the Mouse or by hitting the Tab key.  Using the Mouse requires removing your hand from the keyboard and the Tab key is inconvenient when entering numeric data on the 10-key pad.  Both methods cause a pause in entry, slowing the clerk down, and opening the door for data entry errors.  Then you have the “Keyboard Commands” to alleviate using the mouse.  Anyone remember WordStar?  Yipes!

Sorry to sound like the Ancient Mariner.  I’m not proposing that we go back to “cell-based” terminals.  But, maybe some of the old methods are still the best for large amounts of data.  Developers don’t know everything.  Talk to the users before making product changes!