Jef Raskin Quotes & Sayings

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. — Jef Raskin

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

If our field is "to advance", we must - without displacing creativity and aesthetics - make sure our terminology is clear. — Jef Raskin

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

I am confident that we can do better than GUIs because the basic problem with them (and with the Linux and Unix interfaces) is that they ask a human being to do things that we know experimentally humans cannot do well. The question I asked myself is, given everything we know about how the human mind works, could we design a computer and computer software so that we can work with the least confusion and greatest efficiency? — Jef Raskin

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

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

A computer shall not waste your time or require you to do more work than is strictly necessary. — Jef Raskin

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. — Jef Raskin

A computer shall not harm your work or, through inaction, allow your work to come to harm. — Jef Raskin

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

What users want is convenience and results. — Jef Raskin

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

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. — Jef Raskin

The system should treat all user input as sacred. — Jef Raskin

I hate mice. The mouse involves you in arm motions that slow you down. I didn't want it on the Macintosh, but Jobs insisted. In those days, what he said went, good idea or not. — Jef Raskin

If I am correct, the use of a product based on modelessness and monoty would soon become so habitual as to be nearly addictive, leading to a user population devoted to and loyal to the product. — Jef Raskin

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

As far as the customer is concerned, the interface is the product. — Jef Raskin

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

Imagine if every Thursday your shoes exploded if you tied them the usual way. This happens to us all the time with computers, and nobody thinks of complaining. — Jef Raskin