[delayclose]

>This information can be found online or in the manual

So can the information on how you should partition your hard drive for Linux installation. Yet (historically) most people think Linux installation is a usability disaster.

Or for another way of looking at it, do you really think that an interface which requires you to go online (or read a manual) to figure out how basic stuff like undo or delete work represents "good usability"?

Also, as the author points out, what is "refresh" supposed to do in the context of a single message? Just because a symbol is familiar, it doesn't mean its meaning is automatically clear if it's taken out of context. For example, at my workplace recently got a new microwave that has a play/pause button. In this case, it's relatively easy to figure it out but it still gave me a pause.

[thenduks]

My point was that you can find the information online or in the manual if you don't get it, which this guy clearly does not. Some people have habits when it comes to devices like this that are hard to break. If you're one of those people, read the manual.

[scott_s]

I think you missed the point. The author is a person who designs user interfaces. He knows that he can look up how to do what he wants to do by referring to material outside of the device. His interest, though, is designing user interfaces that don't require that.

[thenduks]

Fair enough, I'm just saying that maybe the fact that he's a UI designer is what caused him to approach it in a way that most people don't. I've seen people who know less-than-nothing about interfaces (aka, your average person) get it without any help... And I'd say that is evidenced on a larger scale by the positive reviews and general success of the product.