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The Invisible Computer: Why Good Products Can Fail, the Personal Computer Is So Complex, and Information Appliances Are the Solution

Author

Listed:
  • Donald A. Norman

    (Northwestern University)

Abstract

Technologies have a life cycle, says Donald A. Norman, and they must change as they pass from youth to maturity. Alas, the computer industry thinks it is still in its rebellious teenage years, exalting in technical complexity. Customers want change. They are ready for products that offer convenience, ease of use, and pleasure. The technology should be invisible, hidden from sight. In this book Norman shows why the computer is so difficult to use and why this complexity is fundamental to its nature. The only answer is to develop information appliances that fit people's needs and lives. To do this, companies have to change the way they develop products. They need to start with an understanding of people: user needs first, technology last—the opposite of how things are done now.

Suggested Citation

  • Donald A. Norman, 1999. "The Invisible Computer: Why Good Products Can Fail, the Personal Computer Is So Complex, and Information Appliances Are the Solution," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262640414, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:mtp:titles:0262640414
    as

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Vossen, Gottfried & Hagemann, Stephan, 2007. "From Version 1.0 to Version 2.0: A brief history of the web," ERCIS Working Papers 4, University of Münster, European Research Center for Information Systems (ERCIS).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    computer industry; information appliances;

    JEL classification:

    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D

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