Woe is the Duty of an Application Developer

                                                A Website Dedicated to Computer Professionals...and some not so Professional

Woe is the Duty of an Application Developer
by David Whittaker

Being a custom application writer, primarily automating end-users daily activities, I try to create programs that are very easy for them to use. Over some time working with many end-users, I have noticed that there is a dividing line between those who can easily learn these new applications and those who can't. With a little speculation, and insight, I've come to somewhat of a conclusion for this occurrence. There are three main areas of skill that are necessary for one to understand and operate computers.

First: Fine motor skills/Hand-Eye Coordination

In order for anyone to be able to do anything with computers, you need to be in control of the system. You need to have a feeling of comfort in order to pass information to the computer, then on to have the information passed back to you. Without it, the initial communication link between you and the computer is broken. There is a certain degree of fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination one needs to have in order to maximize the data transference from the brain to the computer, and vice versa. I believe that these skills are undeniably developed by playing video games. In my youth (and still today), I remember playing intense video games for long hours at a time. Not only was I exposing myself to radiation by sitting two inches from the screen, I was training my self how to communicate with a machine....up, down, up, down, left, right, left, right, A, A, B, A, Select, Start. Aside from the obvious reason stated before, video games are the perfect training tool for the computer professional. There are many positive spin-off effects and services it can provide to you: here are a few.

      The ability to sit in front of a screen for hours at a time fooling your co-workers into thinking that you are actually programming some intense code, meanwhile you just turned Mrs. Pac Man over for the fourth time. Yes!!!

     You can actually use this article to tell your parents, school teachers, and counselors, who thought nothing more would ever become of you than a customer complaint operator: I TOLD YOU SO!!

      A perfect way to settle your nerves (other than drugs and alcohol), after explaining 6 times to an end-user the difference between a left click and a right click.

Second: The Approach taken towards Applications

            There are two ways, and two ways only that one can approach an application they have never used before; either viewing the application from the bottom, or the top...let me explain. Imagine that viewing an application from the bottom, is like standing on earth's solid ground and looking into the sky. It is wide open, vast, never ending, both confusing and wonderful, and maybe even a little scary at times. This is exactly what an end user sees when he/she approaches an unfamiliar application. Viewing an application from the top on the other hand, is more like having a God-Like Complex. Look at it, there it is, the small tiny program. Only created to do one thing; maybe even two. To the professionals, an application is as simple to us as nail and hammer. They are tools in our existence for us to use, tools that make our jobs a piece of cake, rather than an obstacle course. Nevertheless, it is impossible for the novice to gain that understanding of how we pro's handle the apps. Which reminds me of this: If you give a gun to a chimpanzee and the chimp shoots someone...Do you blame the end-user? I don't know....I will never know.

Third: One's Attitude Towards Computers In General

"Ya know...back in the old days, we used to do it like this..." said the end-user, and you know how the rest goes. How many times have you heard this around the office? (Comment usually made by staff older then 60). I mean come on now; I don't hear anyone complaining about electricity...well, nobody except the Amish. Anyways, my point is without a doubt made. Face the fact, computers are here, and they are here to stay. But it is this very attitude that many staff members have pertaining to computers. More than ever when they encounter a situation and have to call the pro's in.

Driven by fear, Ol' Hank looks at the computer monitor as it was the devil himself. Gritting and cursing, not knowing the outcome, being afraid of hitting the OK button. Hell is where he is now and and it is hot!! Confusion sinks in..."Is this a major problem? Do I have to call them? I don't want to call them"...He thinks. Time passes by, the clock is ticking and no work is getting done. Finally he gives in and makes the call. Seconds later, the Pro arrives. The Pro looks over the situation, seeing the bind that Hank is in. With one glance of the monitor, a solution is made. The Pro clicks on the ok button. "Hank," he says, "This is the last time I'm going to tell you this....You need to press the OK button to LOG on to the computer so you can start working...All right? And just as before Hank replies "Yes that's right, I remember now!"

So there we have it and it almost becomes clear: The world they live in, man, it must be tough. Having no clue as to the possible potential computers can provide you in your daily activities. And that's why we are here; to enlighten others a bit with our knowledge, to entertain them with our miraculous abilities to solve problems, and to be there to pat them on the back telling them "it's OK", while they are sobbing the tears of stupidity. So maybe we can all gain a little compassion and patience for those who are lost. Especially when your grandmother calls you long distance, so you can fix her email, only so she can then e-mail you back to say hi.

by David Whittaker
Database Administrator

DavidWhittaker@thenetworkadministrator.com

David Database / Application Developer for a large company based in Central Florida.
Dave also holds a degree in Social Sciences.

Disclaimer: The Opinions shared on TheNetworkAdministrator.com are contributed by its readers and does not necessarily express the opinion of the creators of this publication.