Ah the Amiga days, I remember that that is when I saw my first use of Raytracting and Lens Flairs courtesy of Babylon-5 and then latter Sea-Quest DSV. From my understanding of software form the period on the Amiga that Video Toaster was much harder to use form an interface stand point then lightwave.
From what I recall when Power-Animator (Now Maya) first came out I remember reading in one of the computer magazines of the day most likely Amiga Format (Future Publishing) or maybe even Computer Shopper a comparison on easy of use of different 3d graphics software and I believe that it was said that Lightwave was by far essayer to use then Power-Animator.
I am into Computer-Human interaction and usability and my take on software boils down to:
1. Easy to use for even the most novice user
2. Professional feature set (Give Professionals the tools they need to do their job but in away that is conversant with and supportive of (1.).
3. Software for Life: The same software you have on your home system is the same software you kids use at school, when they leave school the same software (They adapt to new releases of the software as it comes out they grow in skills as the software grows) the software is there for them at college, at university and is waiting for them in the work place.
4. Universal Software Interface Standard (USSIS): This standard would give a common ground within in the software industry with standardised naming conventions, UI layout etc. With this standard any one no matter what industry or sector they work in would be able to set at a new workstation in any other business and be able to use the software there as is conversant with (3.).
This would allow greater transfer of skills from one organisation to another but since every one is talking the same language and is on the same page it lessens the down time needed for re-skilling your work force but will save time and money in project management when to companies maybe form different areas of expertise need to come together where one or both need to assign on a Non-Permanent biases (Life of the project) project workers form one to go into the other if you have a universal standard then you can have these people maximise their productivity and not waist time search for some thing in software they would be unfamiliar with other wise.
Just some ideas I am developing.
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You right what you said Harvey I forgot about Microsoft I stand corrected. End Of Line.
Regards to you.
Cyber-Angel