Balancing functionality and safety
Users
will use your tool in
every way possible (and will attempt the impossible, too), whether or not you thought of that method of use, and regardless of your wishes. That's not a bad thing! It does have some consequences, though.
If it's easy for them to hurt themselves, some of them will do so.
I would also contend that confusion is a form of hurt, so this also reads, "If it's easy for them to get confused, some of them will do so."
You're not responsible for the obviously bad ideas (Hey! Don't drink the drain cleaner!), but you should be taking them into consideration.
If it prevents them from doing something seemingly reasonable, they will be upset.
We've all heard someone start a sentence with, "Well why can't I ..."
Therefore it's always a balance between...
- Preventing the users from hurting themselves
- Enabling the users to do more with the tool (building a good tool)