User-friendly computer systems?: A critical examination of the concept

Abstract The term ‘user-friendly’ is now widely used in connection with the design of computer systems. This paper argues that as at present defined, explicitly or through common usage, the concept is not helpful to system designers. A critical examination of a typical definition is used to show that whilst elements of the concept represent reasonable aims, each requires significant modification and/or extension. No redefinition of the term ‘user-friendly’ is offered, nor any alternative term proposed; it is argued that a broader set of. criteria is needed to express the aspirations revealed by its widespread use. Prominence is given to changes in approaches to software interface design that might result from giving greater consideration to some factors in system use which at present receive comparatively little attention.

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