RE: SIGIA-L: User vs. ____ (inspired by 'you cant control me')

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> > From: Joe 10 Enterprises <joe_at_joe10.com>
> > will effect the viewer (user, visitor, etc)
>
> I seek affirmation in the fact that I think User is a rather
> demeaning term to use for Customers..
>
> (Am I the only one who thinks this?)
>
> ..not that our clients are always Customers, or even Viewers
> for that matter. I have decided to try to stick to one term
> for the people who Use the products and I have Finally
> settled on Visitor.

The problem arises when you think that all applications don't have web
sites, and even all web sites don't have "visitors", or there are multiple
types of users.

Customer ... Karen Holtzblat says she uses this term and not user even
though not everyone using a product is buying something directly. They are
all buying something in that they have to "buy in" to the
product/site/application.

I personally like the term user. I don't find it demeaning at all. I find
that visitor isn't appropriate b/c it doesn't fit w/ applications, customer
doesn't work for me b/c I want to distinguish between those that buy my
products (who may never use them) and those whom actually use the product.

Depending on your application the term "user" may not be enough as you need
to distinguish between different user-types for different modes of your
site. Many applications of roles or priviledge sets that make the term
"user" too generic to be useful during design process.

One great thing to do is take advantage of creating profiles and give your
profiles a name, and use that name. Well, can Jane do X?

Just some thoughts. Personally, I stick w/ user ... It's the most generic.

-- dave

David Heller
Sr. UI Designer
david.heller_at_documentum.com
http://www.documentum.com/
x5636
"if it isn't useful, it will never be usable"

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