Chapter 14: Making Software Considerate

We apply instincts reserved for when interacting with other people when we interact with software as well, that is why we should design software as if it were a person.

"If software is stingy with information, obscures its process, forces the user to hunt around for common functions, and is quick to blame the user for its own failings, the user will dislike the software and have an unpleasant experience."

Software should behave like a considerate human.

Considerate software...

Takes an interest:
Software should work hard to remember our habits

Is deferential:
Defer to the user as the boss. Software should make suggestions, but otherwise do what it's told.

Is forthcoming:
Should be forthcoming with related information to our goals

Uses common sense:
e.g. everyday functions next to "ejector seat" functions, billing you in the amount of $454,545,632,234.00

Anticipates needs:
A computer will spend time idling when it could be working for us.

Is conscientious:
Takes things an extra mile without being asked.
A program should mark two files with different dates and save them, rather than assuming we want to overide a file.

Doesn't burden you with its personal problems:
Software should keep quiet about its problems and focus on yours.

Keeps us informed:
Keep us informed without interruption is key.

Is perceptive:
Perceptive software observes what the user is doing and uses those patterns to offer relevant information. e.g. If we always maximize the working space of the window, it should do that for us.

Is self-confident:
It shouldn't second guess us or itself. Provide undo function to always a user to rectify a mistake.
Doesn't ask a lot of questions:
excessive, annoying questions become excise.

Fails gracefully:
e.g. Computer crash take all inform with them, clicking "Submit" on forms with an error and all data is lost.

Knows when to bend the rules:
"fudgeability" = let humans perform functions out of sequence, computer systems don't.

Take responsibility:
Computer: "It isn't my responsibility" in regards to printing, for example.