Review of "DECset-8000 System User's Guide, Vol #1, #2, by Vincent Manis, Peter van den Bosch"
Russ Abbott · ACM SIGDOC Asterisk Journal of Computer Documentation · 1977
When it comes to designing software for people not used to dealing with computers, manufacturers of hardware are frequently the worst offenders in producing complex, inconsistent and frustrating systems. The problem is that they tend to think of all people as potential programmers. Now, a programmer, though he may grumble, will put up with almost any inconvenience thrown in his way, but a typist is not a programmer, nor is a bank clerk, nor is a journalist. Yet these people, and others in every aspect of business and industry, are expected to deal, in increasing numbers, with software designed for programmers and other members of the computer culture. They too will adjust themselves, since it is their livelihood, but they will not grumble, because they too often do not realize that matters could be better. When "the computer" makes a mistake it will afford them a moment of bitter pleasure during coffee-breaks, but in general they will feel frustrated, inadequate and oppressed, and their working lives will be made just a little more unpleasant because of it.