IBM's Dr. Clare-Marie
Karat, a researcher at its Thomas J. Watson Research Center, has
challenged the industry to endorse the following Computer User's
Bill of Rights.
- The user is always right. If there
is a problem with the use of the system, the system is the problem,
not the user.
- The user has the right to easily install
software and hardware systems.
- The user has the right to a system that
performs as promised.
- The user has the right to easy to use instructions
for understanding and utilizing a system to achieve desired goals.
- The user has the right to be in control
of the system and to be able to get the system to respond to a
request for attention.
- The user has the right to a system that
provides clear, understandable, and accurate information regarding
the task it is performing and the progress toward completion.
- The user has the right to be clearly informed
about all system requirements for successfully using software
or hardware.
- The user has the right to know the limits
of the system's capabilities.
- The user has the right to communicate with
the technology provider and receive a thoughtful and helpful response
when raising concerns.
- The user should be the master of
software and hardware technology, not vice versa. Products
should be natural and intuitive to use.
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