Jef Raskin Quotes

Right now, computers, which are supposed to be our servant, are oppressing us.

As far as the customer is concerned, the interface is the product.

A well-designed and humane interface does not need to be split into beginner and expert subsystems.

Once the product's task is known, design the interface first; then implement to the interface design.

I am only a footnote, but proud of the footnote I have become. My subsequent work on eliciting principles and developing the theory of interface design, so that many people will be able to do what I did is probably also footnote-worthy. In looking back at this turn-of-the-century period, the rise of a worldwide network will be seen as the most significant part of the computer revolution.

What users want is convenience and results.

When you have to choose among methods, your locus of attention is drawn from the task and temporarily becomes the decision itself.

Users do not care about what is inside the box, as long as the box does what they need done.

Human logic [emphasis added] was forced on us by the physical world and is therefore consistent with it. Mathematics derives from logic. This is why mathematics is consistent with the physical world.

An unlimited-length file name is a file. The content of a file is its own best name.

If I had not studied music, there would be no Macintosh computers today.

What I proposed was a computer that would be easy to use, mix text and graphics, and sell for about $1,000. Steve Jobs said that it was a crazy idea, that it would never sell, and we didn't want anything like it. He tried to shoot the project down.

An interface is humane if it is responsive to human needs and considerate of human frailties.