Next buttons are enigmatic and complicated puzzles that the average person could never figure out.

You are helping a user install a piece of software. You walk them through downloading the installer, finding the file that they downloaded, and double clicking to begin the install process. Your job is done, right?



Wrong.

The first dialog box pops up with a "next" and "cancel" button and the user sits there with a look of bewilderment on their face. They turn to look at you like a little lost puppy and ask "what next?". This is the point where you explain about reading the text, following the directions, and clicking the "next" button. You tell them that, basically, they just need to click the next button until it says it is done installing. They still look lost so you proceed to read the text on the screen out loud to them as you would a small child. Once you are done reading they usually still look bewildered and you must tell them to click next.

Wipe the sweat from your brow. We got through that ok. Now on to the next dialog box.

So now you think that you will let the little bird fly on it's own for this one. Unfortunately, the next dialoug box is a wall of text (EULA) and the bastards have added...dare I say it...

A check box. (cue ominous music)

So now you have to tell them about the EULA and tell them just to check the box and click next. After some trepidation, the user finally clicks the next button. Now you think to yourself that the instructions only get simpler from this point on and the user will get the hang of the next button and the process will finish up in a flash.

Again, you are disappointed as the user looks at you expectantly when the next dialog box comes up and asks "Now what do I do?". Again, you have to read the screen for the user, which essentially says "this is where the stuff will go..hit next to continue". At this point you completely give up on humanity and robotically tell the user on each screen to "click next". Each time the user hesitates like their computer may explode if they click the button.

Finally, you get to the end of the install process. There is only a thank you message and a single button with the word "finish" on it. Your spirits rise because you think anyone with a shred of intelligence would know what to do now. You hold your breath as the user moves their cursor toward the "Finish" button, waiting with anticipation for this whole ordeal to be done.

Until they ask you "What do I do now?".