dsandler.org/wp

Regarding last week’s
quote on usability —

“Usability without innovation represents failure. Innovation without
usability merely means we aren’t done yet.”

— ctate retorts,

<ctate> i disagree rather firmly with the first half

<ctate> usability is success, full stop.

<ctate> whether it’s innovative is beside the point.

<ctate> usability without IMPROVEMENT is a lateral move, and so not as good as usability + improvment; but i don’t like “innovative” here; it’s
too connotative of quantum leaps rather than evolutionary progression.

I’m with ya. Case in point: iTunes. Not really a technological leap
over WinAmp (well, the charred remains of WinAmp) or MusicMatch CrapBox,
but a huge boost in usability results in an overall win. iTunes doesn’t
push the audio-playback envelope, but it can definitely be considered
winnage.

Then again, if the source of the original
quote was talking about some sort of research project where
usability is explicitly disclaimed as being an important success
criterion, well, perhaps the quote holds water. But I wouldn’t want to
work on that project.