Re: FN-FORUM: Opinions on W3C validator

date posted 24th September 2007 13:52

I get the impression that the people contributing to this thread are talking
at cross-purposes.
The definition of usability that I found most appropriate is:

"That quality of a system that makes it easy to learn, easy to use and
encourages the user to regard the system as a positive help in getting the
job done"

This quality should be regarded separately from the subject of
functionality, i.e. does it actually work and conform to the user's
requirements.
I know you can argue that if it doesn't work, it's not useable but that is
not what the subject of usability is about.
As the above definition states, it's about how easy the site (or
application) is to use.
My favourite book on this subject is 'The Inmates Are Running the Asylum' by
Alan Cooper.
Well worth a read if you haven't already.

regards and hoping everything spelled (spelt!) correctly :)


davep


David Putman
11, Harefield Place
St Albans
AL4 9JQ

www.davidputman.com
www.desktopalerting.com
tel: 0870 803 3765

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tony Crockford" [EMAIL REMOVED]
To: [EMAIL REMOVED]
Sent: Monday, September 24, 2007 2:09 PM
Subject: Re: FN-FORUM: Opinions on W3C validator


>
>
> On 24 Sep 2007, at 13:58, Gary Short wrote:
>
>>
>> On 24 Sep 2007 12:42:13 -0000, Tony Crockford wrote
>>> exactly!
>>>
>>> so why use it as an example?
>>
>> What?! I used it because its such an obvious example of a standards
>> compliant site that is not usable, which is the point we are debating.
>
> hmmm...
>
> it's not the fact that it's standard compliant or not, its that it's
> being used in an inappropriate way.
>
> in other words the web *application* depends on access to a database,
> deny it access to the database and it's unusable.
>
> so as you said, it's not the compliance that makes it unusable or not...
>
> sheesh, a table based site built with dreamweaver would become unusable
> if you couldn't use the database...
>
> bored now.
>
> I suspect we're agreeing with each other and just failing to communicate
> it.
>
> ;)
>
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