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What the Digerati Know

This guide explores effective methods for learning new tools in information technology, emphasizing intuitive design and consistent interfaces. It discusses various approaches to familiarize oneself with software, such as 'clicking around,' exploring menus, and utilizing built-in help features. The insights draw upon the experiences shared in "What the Digerati Know," focusing on the importance of intuitive usage, standard commands, and practical exploration methods to enhance digital fluency.

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What the Digerati Know

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  1. What the Digerati Know INFO/CSE100, Fall 2006 Fluency in Information Technology http://courses.washington.edu/info100/ digerati @ university of washington

  2. Questions from last class • Podcast in iTunes digerati @ university of washington

  3. Readings and References • Reading • Fluency with Information Technology • Chapter 2, What the Digerati Know digerati @ university of washington

  4. Learning New Tools • How do we learn to use new tools? • Be taught their use by someone else -- car, bicycle, etc… • Reading the owner’s manual -- chain saw • Passive Observance -- vending machine • Figure them out ourselves -- CD player digerati @ university of washington

  5. Quick Software Learning • Software designers want you to learn ASAP • How? : They try for “intuitive” usage • Consistent Interfaces -- build in experience • Suggestive icons and Metaphors -- bypass terminology digerati @ university of washington

  6. IntuitiveDesign? Could you do better? digerati @ university of washington

  7. Consistent Interfaces • Cars • What would you do if they were all different? • Software • Functions look like another • Software programs looks like eachother • Re-Use ideas - what others have done digerati @ university of washington

  8. Consistent Interfaces Most modern applications File and Edit menus with standard commands digerati @ university of washington

  9. Same, but on a Mac digerati @ university of washington

  10. Consistent Interfaces digerati @ university of washington

  11. Computers use Metaphors • Some familiar computer metaphors • Desktop (folders, inboxes, etc…) • Tree (root, branches, leaves) • Stoplights red = stop or error digerati @ university of washington

  12. Dance Dance Revolution What makes it easy to use? digerati @ university of washington

  13. MenusWhat does “New” Mean? • Most applications have the concept of a document with: • Attributes: date created, date modified, creator, … • Content: image, text, sound • “New” means create a ‘blank instance’ of a document for this application • A document has attributes as well as content • All stored in one file with a place for anything • A ‘blank instance’ is simply the structure with some of the attributes filled in but without any of the content digerati @ university of washington

  14. “Click Around” • Software designers use standard ideas to make applications intuitive • To learn a new application, check it out by clicking around • Take a minute to familiarize… • Look under all menus to see operations • Follow the “…” for menu operations • Try to recognize what the icons mean • Clicking around is Exploration! :) digerati @ university of washington

  15. A New Application digerati @ university of washington

  16. Lets “Click Around” with Audacity • Audacity • 1st - What does it do: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page • 2nd - Lets see if we can learn by “clicking around” digerati @ university of washington

  17. “Blazing Away” • Learn an application fast by trying it! • Beginning with a new instance, assertively try menu items • Expect to fail and make a mess • Exit the application and if you are asked to “Save?” reply “No” • Don’t be afraid of “breaking it” • Try repeatedly until becoming familiar digerati @ university of washington

  18. What does BBEdit Do? • All I know is it is a text editor… • Lets learn more by “blazing away” digerati @ university of washington

  19. What else can I do to learn? • Some times programs are intuitive • Easily teach yourself the application • Do so by familiarizing with features by “Clicking Around” • Assertively try out the features: • “Blaze Away” observing what they do • Be efficient -- stay focused, don’t type a lot when you expect to exit • What now, help? digerati @ university of washington

  20. Built-in Help • The help menu is very handy digerati @ university of washington

  21. Ask questions interactively digerati @ university of washington

  22. Online Tutorials • Where do they come from? • Expert organizations • Online Magazines • Different Formats • Interactive tools • Step by step examples • Often used as references • Might support a user community - example UW Computing Thunderbird • Things to consider: • Are they up-to-date? • Are they selling something? digerati @ university of washington

  23. Example Online Tutorials • Skype Tutorial (3rd Party) • http://www.laptopmag.com/Features/Skype-Made-Easy.htm • Skype Online Help (Application Vendor) • http://www.skype.com/help/guides digerati @ university of washington

  24. Dummies Books • http://www.dummies.com/ • Similar Format digerati @ university of washington

  25. Differences & Similarities of Applications • Different vendors - similar software - same task • Superficially - GUIs use similar features may look different • Fundamentally - task largely determines how the software must work… they must be similar • Implications • If you know one word processor, you can learn others fast • Software differences: mostly glitz and convenience • Don’t accept lousy tools, consider switching to other applications digerati @ university of washington

  26. Lets look at 2 web browsers • Camino • Safari digerati @ university of washington

  27. Another Implication • Similar applications means quicker learning • Possibilities: • Web Browsers - verified! • Word Processors / Text Editors? • Operating Systems? • Programming languages? digerati @ university of washington

  28. Mac or PC??? • Arguments about which is better, Mac or PC create only create heat, no light • They are more alike than different • Any fluent person can use both • I first bought a Mac Desktop, then a PC Desktop, then an IBM Laptop, and now this MacBookPro • And “afew other” computers in between digerati @ university of washington

  29. Questions • Open, New, Close, and Save can usually be found in the ______ menu digerati @ university of washington

  30. Questions • The online manual can usually be found in the ______ menu. digerati @ university of washington

  31. Questions • Name an advantage of a consistent interface from the consumer’s view? • From the developers view? digerati @ university of washington

  32. Summarizing • Humans must learn to use tools • Software designers want you to learn easily • Good software uses consistent interfaces and menus • Teach yourself applications by “Clicking Around” and “Blazing Away” • I don’t know all the features, you don’t know all the features, and that’s okay! • Software for a task must share core features • Learn applications independent of vendors digerati @ university of washington

  33. Homework 2 • Print out homework 2 • You will have to complete some tasks on 2 different computer systems (Mac, Windows, or Linux) • How will you ever learn? • Due in class on Friday, Oct 6th digerati @ university of washington

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