Intuitive, You keep using that word...

[jspaleta]

"You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means" - The Princess Bride

Comments

They really mean ‘familiar’

[dawudd]

Jef Raskin said it best. People like calling interfaces ‘intuitive’, but they really mean ‘familiar (to me)’. Even the mouse is not intuitable until someone shows you how to use it. There really are no “intuitive” interfaces (except for the nipple-maybe).

Re: They really mean ‘familiar’

[jspaleta]

Sort of my point. I believe, culturally, we have built our own mental trap with regard to trying to build "intuitive" anything. We need to shake loose of the meme and re-express what we want to achieve with more..rationale...language.

Re: They really mean ‘familiar’

[dawudd]

Indeed! I was completely agreeing with you. I’ve learned to tune out anyone talking about “intuitive” technology.

[papertowlbtrfly]

Thanks for posting that :) I've heard the word 'free' (yes, it was inferring 'free as in freedom')to describe open source software once too many times this week. Your post is a good reminder to question our assumptions about the meaning of words :)