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July 17, 2003

pro vs. consumer @01:16 PM

Part of the FOB / EVE project is trying to create an authoring system that caters to the needs of both the lowest and highest common denominators of users. For example, our authoring tools would need to allow 'professionals' to create deep and compelling content -- narratives, comprehensive histories, etc., while at the same time making the system easy and quick enough that the average user -- who wants to tag a few resturants he likes for his family -- can do that as well. This is a tough problem, and certainly one that the web has struggled with over the years -- html, flash, DHTML, javascript, etc. But these are all still individual tools -- we need to make one that will work for everyone.

Part of it would hopefully be solved by 3rd party developers.

But just something to think about -- this is relatively uncharted territory for authoring systems as far as I know. Apple is a good example -- they make iMovie for the consumer and Final Cut for the professional. They are coming out with a consumer audio editing tool, but realize that professionals will still use proTools. And electronics are the same way -- home movie cameras vs. professional models.

So what sort of things do we need to think about when designing our system. One idea that comes to mind is that perhaps we can't do this, and therefore we hav to make the authoring tool extensible enough that people can mold it, or build upon it to suit their needs.

posted by will | comments (1) | permalink

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This is a good point. Typically, I have only seen tools start at the high-end, and then later consumer style systems are written (computer graphics, computer music, etc.). The exception to the rule appears to be blogging systems (although perhaps the current blogging systems *are* professional, and an even simplier style has yet to emerge). What other exceptions are there? Can we create a system that is easy and *consumerish* for the input of data, but *professional* for the editing and scripting of that data?

Posted by: mbolas at July 18, 2003 10:55 PM