View source for Convivial Characteristics Narrative

The most important of [[Convivial Tool Characteristics]] is [[Usability]], or the ease with which a tool can be used. Usability refers to what is more commonly called "User Friendliness."

The subject of Usability is so vast that it covers many properties that are important [[Convivial Characteristics]] in their own right. One example is [[Intuitive Use]], which means that the user can intuitively discover how to operate the tool without having to refer constantly to the [[User Manual]]. Another is [[Reliability]], which means that the object should repeatedly prove to be effective, and should operate with few and non-catastrophic errors.

Another major convivial characteristic is [[Reparability]], or the ease with which a tool can be repaired. [[Reparability]] could be considered part of [[Usability]], to the extent that repair of the tool is one step in the overall cycle of its use.

Reparability is closely related to [[Durability]], which refers to the length of the useful life of the tool. However, ease of repair is only one of the factors that increases a tool's durability and lifespan, others being the quality of the materials and the general robustness of the tool.

There is much overlap between [[Convivial Tool Characteristics]] and what has traditionally been called [[Ergonomics]]. Ergonomic characteristics will notably tend to increase a tool's usability.

Additional characteristics of convivial tools include those which serve to enhance the primary characteristics. An important secondary characteristic of convivial tools is [[Simplicity]]. A simple tool will tend to be easy to use, easy to repair, and durable.

Another secondary convivial characteristic, related to simplicity, is [[Robustness]]. A robust tool has high [[Usability]], since it continues to fonction under adverse conditions, and it has high reparability, since it is more resistant to the user's tinkering.
 
A key secondary Convivial Characteristic, in particular with respect to [[Reparability]] is what could be called [[Open Access]]. This refers to the ease with which the user can reach and manipulate the tools innards. For a physical appliance, access means being able to open it up and dismount the inner parts. For software, easy access means being able to descend into the lower levels of the program and to tinker with it. Thus open source programs generally have more open access than hidden source programs, but only to the extent that the user can understand and actually manipulate the code.

[[Reparability]] may also be enhanced through design of standard interchangeable modules. [[Modularity]] can thus be considered another secondary characteristic of certain type of [[Convivial Tool]].

There is also much overlap between [[Convivial Tool Characteristics]] and [[Environmental Characteristics]]. For example, [[Reparability]] and [[Durability]] are [[Environmental Characteristics]], since increasing the tool's life reduces consumption of resources for its replacement. However, the environmental characteristic of being [[Recyclable]] only enhance the user's independent efficiency if the user specifically desires to recycle the tool at the end of its useful life. We will however assume that the typical user of [[Convivial Tools]] wants tools that are also environmentally and socially friendly.

A characteristic which figures in [[Ivan Illich]]'s basic definition of [[Convivial Tools]] is that they increase [[User Autonomy]]. The tool's capacity to promote autonomy can in itself be considered a fundamental characteristic of the [[Convivial Tool]].

In today's service economy, the level of [[After-Sales Service]] is a major criterion for the comparative evaluation of tools that are available as products on the market. Dependence on [[After-Sales Service]] might seem to decrease the user's autonomy. However, given that services such as repair under warranty or on-line help are often necessary, high levels [[After-Sales Service]] providing full external support in fact increase the feeling of personal control and [[User Autonomy]].

Ivan Illich envisaged that convivial tools would enhance a sort of "graceful playfulness" in personal relations. This "graceful playfulness" is the Illich's transposition of the Greek word [[Eutrapelia]], which was one of Aristotle's "social [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtue virtues]". ([[Eutrapelia]] is sometimes translated as "wittiness".) Since the word "conviviality" refers to the entire range of characteristics of convivial tools, we will use the word [[eutrapelia]] to refer this specific characteristic of power to enhance personal relations.

==Links==
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ergonomics
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robustness
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modular_design
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recyclable

[[Category:Convivial Design]]