Define Usability

It seems we have another word that has various meanings. These are super common in our language, aren't they? Neilsen says that there is a duality to usability. He states that on one hand it is a way to gauge what works and what doesn't for the user and on the other hand it is a belief system that strives to "ensure human mastery of the constructed environment". I really liked the "right of people to be superior to technology" under the belief system category. I believe that Rachel commented on this....However, this cannot apply to the general public or to every facet of life. Not everyone works for NASA and therefore could not understand some of the technologies they use. This statement on the surface seems to imply that the technology would need to change in order for people to be superior to it. Most likely, the person would have to change (college, specialized training, etc) before the technology would. Maybe I am stretching this comment too far or maybe Neilsen is talking strictly about computers??

You know, when I think of usability for some reason I am reminded of the Christmas where I received a fairly elaborate entertainment center. There were pieces everywhere and the directions for setting it up may as well been written in Portugese. Once we had finally put the thing together, it was a mess...unstable, leaning, etc. So the usability of the directions affected the usability of my entertainment center. Hmmm?

Anyway, two more classes until Thanksgiving break...YEAH!!