On the human factors and human engineering issues in user interface design. The spirt of the discussion is that it is imperative that we understand the people who will be using the system and that we create a system interface that they understand and can use, But this is not an academic issue; it is a people skills and people-understanding issue.

Interview someone you do not know well who is a complete nontechie, Your goal is to understand that person and his or her computer needs and wants. Things you need to consider in your interview:

a. Understand that person as a person: who are they? What are their likes and dislikes? Do they have a spouse? Children? What about sports? Hobbies? Do they work inside or outside the home? If you are interviewing them in their own "space" (home, office, etc.), take note of the personal effects that are in view. What do these things tell you about that person?

b. Understand them as a computer user: What are their experiences with computers? What types of things have they used a computer for? What wouldn't they use a computer for? Is there something they find computers particularly useful for? Something that is particularly frustrating?

c. What is their body language telling you as you ask these questions? Are they at ease with you? Mike a note of their reactions to you, how you are dressed, what you have sad, and your own body language.