Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Over Featured / Under Designed
A data projector I used last week is another example of over-design or
software defect. It is the first data projector I used that did not
auto-detect which device you attach. It appeared to be waiting for audio
and video input from RCA jacks from a DVD/video player. I had to hit the
Input button to make it go to the computer jack. It seems like an obvious
thing that if only one thing is plugged in the projector should just show it
but often software developers are so focussed on getting other functions and
features working that the obvious is not done. Possibly developers meant
that the projector would stay on its selection to give the user control over
what is shown in a multimedia display. However in this case where it is
obviously detecting no video but is detecting computer input the display
would show something like "Press the Input Button".
(0) comments
software defect. It is the first data projector I used that did not
auto-detect which device you attach. It appeared to be waiting for audio
and video input from RCA jacks from a DVD/video player. I had to hit the
Input button to make it go to the computer jack. It seems like an obvious
thing that if only one thing is plugged in the projector should just show it
but often software developers are so focussed on getting other functions and
features working that the obvious is not done. Possibly developers meant
that the projector would stay on its selection to give the user control over
what is shown in a multimedia display. However in this case where it is
obviously detecting no video but is detecting computer input the display
would show something like "Press the Input Button".
