“If we want users to like our software we should design it to behave like a likeable person: respectful, generous and helpful.” — Alan Cooper, The Inmates Are Running the Asylum

I recently found an article on Viget Advance that nicely reviews what separates frustrating software from good software.  It summarily reviews designing “polite software”.  In the context of Apple software such as iPhoto or Pages, or web-based software such as Basecamp / Highrise / Backpack by 37signals.  Politeness is the secret sauce.

I don’t think Filemaker Pro is perfect in this respect but it is better than a slew of databases out there, and surely they’re questioning a lot of things at Filemaker Inc. with the successful release of Bento.

Polite software:

• Is interested in me
• Is deferential
• Is forthcoming
• Has common sense
• Anticipates my needs
• Is responsive
• Is taciturn about its personal problems
• Is well informed
• Is perceptive
• Is self-confidant
• Stays focused
• Is fudgable
• Gives instant gratification
• Is trustworthy

This says it quite nicely!