[Hidden-tech] Cognitive slant of software

[Duane Dale]

One way to get a handle on "cognitive slant of software" is to compare the
sorts of structuring of info that's most easy in PowerPoint vs. what's most
easy in Visio. I think (not positive) that Visio has more easy options (and
pretty-easy options) for graphical representations ranging from org charts
to causal sequences to network diagrams etc.

Some points that I don't think have been mentioned in these overlapping
threads about PowerPoint etc.:
* The tendency to put way too many words on a PowerPoint slide -- either for
good legibility or for readability in the time alloted.
* The tendency to create visual images that compete with the spoken word for
the viewer/listener's attention rather than reinforcing the spoken word.
* The ability of photographic or graphical images to convey an emotional
tone when appropriate, in ways that words and numbers often can't.

For all who indulge in font-play and layout experiments despite the warnings
herein about keying one's eye on substance over form, here's a favorite
book:
The Non-Designer's Design Book, by Robin Williams (not the actor).
She presents the case for figuring out what one's core message is and
presenting it boldly, so that it doesn't get lost in a lot of words. Which
is an example of how good design can't ignore content -- it requires
sensitivity to what the content really is.

-- Duane Dale



On Sat, Dec 12, 2009 at 2:59 PM, Andy Klapper <andytk at charter.net> wrote:

>    ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>   ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
> Don't blame Microsoft.  Twenty years ago a friend of mine told a story
> about
> going into an elevator at Yale and hearing a physics professor say "I
> remember when physicists used to do physics, now all they do is play around
> with damn fonts!"  Given the time and location the grad student in question
> was probably using LaTeX on a UNIX box.
>
> If we had records from the stone age I suspect we'd have a record of
> somebody complaining about somebody spending too much time making the spear
> shaft pretty and not spending enough time on the tip.  Not saying that they
> shouldn't have spent more time on the tip, just saying I think this is an
> issue of human nature that extends well beyond software.
>
>
>
> Andy.
>
>
>
>
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