Across the computer divide, the nerds face the dummies

Article Abstract:

The phenomenal sales of Dan Gookin's book DOS for Dummies, an irreverent book that explains how microcomputers function, is a telling sign that despite having reached a mass audience, computer technology is still designed for and is controlled by the technological elite. While computer companies proclaim their products as 'customer driven' or 'customer focused,' user manuals are still intimidating in scope and in writing style. To remedy the great divide between the nerds and the masses, companies such as Zenith Data Systems have cut their manuals in half. IBM and Microsoft have research programs that focus on 'usability' issues. The 'usability staff' suggest changes to software after observing ordinary people use the products.

Usage, Computers, Digital computers, Customer service, Microcomputer, User-Friendliness, User Behavior

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For Fruit Flies, Gene Shift Tilts Sex Orientation

Article Abstract:

The recent discovery that the substitution of one female gene for a male one in female fruitflies leads to the courtship of females has enormous implications for research concerning the physiological basis of homosexuality.

United States, Science & research, Sexual behavior, Sex, Gays, Research, Genetic aspects, Fruit-flies, Sexual behaviour, Fruit flies

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