When It Feels Like Mac

16 jul 2008, Simon Strandgaard

I am blinded by my own mac-application and has no intuition to what "the user" thinks, if it's good or bad. In order to learn I observe how "the user" uses my program and I observe how "I (myself)" uses other programs. This article is about the later.

The mac feeling is in my opinion when everything just works and I don't have to think about stuff. I imagine myself being another person from my family with little knowledge about computers, where even the smallest thing can cause confusion and possible rejection of the program.

I monitor the latest applications for Mac OS X and sometimes pick one that look interesting and try it out. Things usually happen the same order, and can thus be described step by step. Each step hilites what is going on inside my brain.

This is a superset of issues that I have observed, so it looks worse than what it is. The mac community is in a great shape. When I try out random programs, I only see a few surprises.

Follow Link From Internet To Programs Website

Click on a link to the website via: reviews, screenshots, talk, links, etc.

» Is the links valid
» Does the program show up a relevant place
» What does people write about the program
» Is the URL's short and meaningful
» Does it have a good title + description + url in a google search

Obtain Program From Website

Read, then download

» I don't understand french
» Can the program help me
» Is it actually a program, and is it for mac
» Does it look interesting
» Can I try it out immediately (without too much registration)
» Where is the download button
» What does it cost
» Is it really free? I don't see it mentioned anywhere
» Is website unserious: text, ani-gifs, theme, icons
» Is there happy talk
» Is there a community
» Where is the video
» Cannot see date of last update. Maybe project is dead
» Is it for OS X version 10.x?
» I don't have 10.x, is there a version for 10.y?

Installation

Place program in Applications folder

» Downloaded file has different name than program name
» Forgot what its purpose is, should I continue?
» I cannot easily extract .SIT files
» Is it TGZ, ZIP, JAR, SIT, HQX, or just a DMG file
» Is the DMG file stored inside a ZIP file
» Confused when there is more files than just the .APP
» Is it a wizard
» Should I drag the .APP to my Applications folder
» There is no .APP
» I don't know what a "readme" file is
» I never read the "readme" files
» I don't understand people that use VISE-X installers.
» Im affraid of pressing "stop" during installation (Im spoiled coming from Windows).
» Computer needs f*cking reboot and will kill all running apps when clicking OK!

Launching The Program

By clicking on it

» Is the program in the Applications Folder
» Is the filename different from the program name
» Is the program hidden inside a folder
» More than one program got installed, which one should I click

Launched The Program

Let's see what this baby can do

» Was the program able to launch
» It did start but where is it? maybe running as a service
» Hmm, it placed itself in the right part of the topmenu
» Was launch-time too long
» Does it consume lots of resources

Program Shows a Modal Dialog

Very important information

» Loading plugins. Damn, is this program still launching
» Your 30 day trial has expired. Oh, it was already installed, but I have forgotten what it's purpose are
» I thought I could try it out without a license
» You must agree this EULA.
» The program has detected compatibility issues with you graphics card.
» It asks me to install more f*cking stuff
» Text doesn't make sense, is this a bad sign
» Opens a homepage where I have to make an account and sign in.

First Impression Of The Running Program

Less than 30 seconds

» Ugly program, nice website. Somebody is spending the resources wrong
» Looks like a native mac app or is it TCL, java, other
» Does it have a good layout
» This program seems bloated
» Or does it look insufficient
» What does that button do
» Am I stupid I don't understand the text
» Where do I begin
» Does it look outdated
» Are there any sample projects so I can see something.

Program Is Fully Running

Decide if this program has some value to me.

» Does it do as promised
» Does it adhere to Apple Human Interface Guidelines
» Can I ignore that it crashes
» Is it responsive
» That's unintuitive, am I doing something wrong
» Am I using it for something unintended
» I think I see a rendering flaw
» That thing obviously doesn't work correct
» This program really is bloated
» The company doesn't seem to care about the users
» This thing is missing, why didn't I see it on the website
» I need help, but there is little or none
» Trial version is feature-limited, why did I use time on this

Uninstall If No Value

Mostly I keep things around, but other times may want to remove apps.

» Can I remove by draging the app to the trashcan
» I moved the app to trash, but it's still integrated with Apple Mail
» I moved the app to trash, but it's still has an icon in system preferences
» Many components has been installed, where is the uninstaller
» Can I find the uninstall procedure on the internet
» Did the app have dependencies and are they removed as well
» Maybe I need to reboot

Applications can be greatly improved by fixing a few things and using common sense. Good luck.