I like this quote:
The GUI is the only contact the user has with the application.
that I found in this presentation:
which I found while surfing thru my Sitemeter stats.
An obvious fact. Yet…
When talking to software developers, I often hear complaints about the quality of code (especially if somebody else programmed the app). While I understand that wild, unruly code creates maintenance problems and is more error prone, I would expect the same care, investment and commitment on the GUI level. At the very least.
See also Leah Guren’s presentation at In Other Words on “It may be GUI…”.