Posted by: Taran Rampersad
on January 10, 2004 02:17 AM
"Usable" a bad word to use, since it presupposes the listener knows who the user is, and what the task is. Is Linux usable? To whom? For what purpose? I have a shovel that isn't very usable, since I have a bad back and live in a second floor apartment. Why do I have a shovel? I don't know, but if I ever need it, I'll have it. See what I mean?
'Usable' used in general terms with reference to an Operating system is fallible for the same reasons you mention. However, 'intellectual usability' is a capacity for intellectual use, and therefore lacks the issue of 'usable for whom'.
With the intellectual usability defined by the four freedoms, there's not much cause for confusion in this regard.
I agree that the whole thing could have been made clearer. Maybe tomorrow's article on the subject will do the trick!<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)
Ever we try to explain what we mean.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)
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Re:Creative Dictionaries
Posted by: Taran Rampersad on January 10, 2004 02:17 AM"Usable" a bad word to use, since it presupposes the listener knows who the user is, and what the task is. Is Linux usable? To whom? For what purpose? I have a shovel that isn't very usable, since I have a bad back and live in a second floor apartment. Why do I have a shovel? I don't know, but if I ever need it, I'll have it. See what I mean?
'Usable' used in general terms with reference to an Operating system is fallible for the same reasons you mention. However, 'intellectual usability' is a capacity for intellectual use, and therefore lacks the issue of 'usable for whom'.
With the intellectual usability defined by the four freedoms, there's not much cause for confusion in this regard.
I agree that the whole thing could have been made clearer. Maybe tomorrow's article on the subject will do the trick!<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)
Ever we try to explain what we mean.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>:)
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