An idea isn't worth that much. It's the execution of the idea that has value. If you can't convince one other person that this is something to devote your life to, then it's not worth it.
Joel SpolskyRead
Usability is not everything. If usability engineers designed a nightclub, it would be clean, quiet, brightly lit, with lots of places to sit down, plenty of bartenders, menus written in 18-point sans-serif, and easy-to-find bathrooms. But nobody would be there. They would all be down the street at Coyote Ugly pouring beer on each other.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Usability is important but it shouldn't overshadow the experiences that draw people in.
This quote by Joel Spolsky highlights the distinction between usability and the engaging atmosphere that attracts people to a venue. While usability engineers focus on creating functional and efficient designs, they may overlook the essential elements of enjoyment and social interaction that make places like nightclubs appealing, emphasizing the need for a balance between utility and experience.
Themes
UsabilityDesignExperienceNightclubAtmosphere
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a presentation about user experience design to illustrate the importance of balancing functionality with engagement.
More from Joel Spolsky
All quotes βThere's a subtle reason that programmers always want to throw away the code and start over. The reason is that they think the old code is a mess. [...] The reason that they think the old code is a mess is because of a cardinal, fundamental law of programming: It's harder to read code than to write it.
Joel SpolskyRead
A user interface is well-designed when the program behaves exactly how the user thought it would.
Joel SpolskyRead
Similar quotes
It is doubling now every two years. Doubling every two years means multiplying by 1,000 in 20 years. At that rate we'll meet 100 percent of our energy needs in 20 years.
Ray KurzweilRead
The strength of the computer lies in its being a logic machine. It does precisely what it is programed to do. This makes it fast and precise. It also makes it a total moron; for logic is essentially stupid.
Peter DruckerRead
Any analyst at any time can target anyone. Any selector, anywhere I, sitting at my desk, certainly had the authorities to wiretap anyone, from you or your accountant, to a federal judge, to even the President
Edward SnowdenRead
The Internet made fame wack and anonymity cool.
Frank OceanRead
The ability of businesses to monitor our behavior is already a fact of life, and it isn't going away. Of course we must protect our privacy rights. But if we're smart, we'll also use the data that is being collected to improve our own lives.
Richard ThalerRead
The number one benefit of information technology is that it empowers people to do what they want to do. It lets people be creative. It lets people be productive. It lets people learn things they didn't think they could learn before, and so in a sense it is all about potential.
Steve BallmerRead