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An Exercise in User-Hostile Experience

I've seen some morons use the term "user-friendly" when they probably should use the term "usability." I think these idiots might lack the understanding of the difference between the two. And the phrase "user experience" goes 100 miles over their empty heads.

Take this page for instance, even a brain-dead moron like you can see that this page is not "friendly." It is not friendly to you the reader, or even to myself, the author. I would not classify this page as "user-friendly." This page makes no promises, pulls no punches, and does not patronize. It's downrght mean. It's calling you names (jerk) and degrading you (peon) but while it isn't friendly, it is usable.

Can you read the text on this page? Even in a text based browser? Even in your 3.0 browser? I think so. I haven't performed formal usability testes on this page, but I think it ranks fairly well when compared to many pages I've seen. You can use this page with JavaScript disabled. You don't need to be running Windows. It does not require an 800x600 resolution monitor. Some freakin' AOLuzer can even print the thing out and stick in in their ear. (Well, maybe not...) You get the idea.

What is the audience this page is targeted to? You, the reader... right? That was easy! Now, while this page may be hostile, that can be changed, The message, the "content" if you will, can be separated from the ppresentation. Allowing this to happen. We could make this document "user-friendly" with ;) and other niceties. But usability is king, right? Sure...

ARGH!

Are users friendly? How does your software feel when you act hostile to it? That hurts! If you're hostile towards your computer, expect the same back!

GRRR!

Your computer might like you... and it might hate you. How do you treat it? Machines have feelings to you know...