[BC] Thought For The Day

[Margaret Bryant]

Bob, we always sought out input from the users and frequently implemented 
their ideas. One time at WMAQ we even built a cardboard mock up so the 
anchors could test out  and feel comfortable with sightlines and arm reach 
distances before the furniture was ever built. But as noted below, all that 
input can only go so far. We still thought beyond that, to things that the 
users would never think of. Things that could be traps under the right 
circumstances. To the best of our ability, we made sure the "traps" weren't 
there. We did our best to make all of the equipment and systems the easiest 
for the operator we could possibly make them. In my mind, making the 
operation easy by staying a few steps ahead in our thinking was what our 
jobs were all about. We were quite serious about that even as we joked 
about our slogan.

Margaret


>From: Robert Bowe <robertb at gjradio.com>
>Subject: Re: [BC] Thought For The Day
>To: "Broadcasters' Mailing List" <broadcast at radiolists.net>
>
>I always try to involve the people who will actually use it as well -
>but then again I employ a similar 'rule' as Margaret since there are
>many limits to their expertise in studio design.  Plus I show them the
>layout graphically so they can see what will or won't work.
>
>The final design will purposefully limit the users ability to screw
>things up accidentally, but make it as easy as possible for them to use
>it and let the engineer maintain the gear without being a contortionist.
>
>
>Bob Tarsio wrote:
> > When I was chief engineer at WLTW in NYC we really had a much different
> > attitude about the air staff. I always engaged them in the process when we
> > designed studios or were about to make fundamental changes. I never had the
> > thought that I had to know better then them or to protect them from
> > themselves.