[Terpfen]

That would be one example of hiding some power user functionality and also making one “go through steps” even to take advantage of it.

And I would describe that as the success of the interface in making root easily accessible for a power user. :)

Okay, it's not quite the same as just typing out a command line, but it's pretty good for a graphical interface. The power user doesn't necessarily need everything accessible, but rather knows how to make the specific functionality he needs accessible. This is why things like keyboard shortcuts are considered the domain of power users.

[Star Traveler]

Since the beginning of desktop computers, I’ve always thought that computers should do *more of the work* and the users should do less of it, and just let the users get on with the tasks that they want the computer to accomplish *for them* — as opposed as users having to do things with the computer in order to get the computer to do anything for them in the first place. The computer should eliminate all the menial and repetitive and (what I would refer to as) “useless tasks” (useless in the sense of not really needing the user for them).

Now, the power user should also be given access to get in behind the scenes if and when he (or she) wants to. So, that means having a computer that shows an interface for the mass of the public (ease of use and not requiring them to do a whole lot of “computer tasks”) and at the same time, having the ability to provide for the access of the power users.

I really do think that the User Interface that Apple has built on top of UNIX does that sort of thing that I’m talking about (at least for the most part, and as far as we’ve gotten with computers these days). I’m still waiting for the “Star Trek” talking computer when I’ll just be able to tell it to do what I want to do — even the power user things I want it to do... :-)