Defining the ergonomic buzzwords

Abstract

Current software and computer systems are being advertised and sold today as FRIENDLY systems that are EASY TO USE. Most also claim to be EASY TO LEARN as well. But what is it that makes a system FRIENDLY, EASY TO USE, or EASY TO LEARN? Is it sufficient to enshrine a group of interactive features in a video box connected to a single user microcomputer? If a system is EASY TO USE does that make it FRIENDLY? Or does EASY TO LEARN mean that it is EASY TO USE? Does your friendly, easy-going personal computer salesman differentiate between these terms! Although the physical aspects of human factors have been studied for several decades and have an established scientific base, there is very little published material on the software aspects of ergonomics that is based upon well controlled experimental investigation. However, there is a fair amount of literature in which individuals describe their experiences in various ad hoc situations. The similarities among these experiences has resulted in a fair amount of “folklore” which may be beneficially applied. The terms: EASY TO LEARN, EASY TO USE, and FRIENDLY are defined below according to this experiential base.