Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site sjuvax.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!psuvax1!burdvax!sjuvax!jss
From: jss@sjuvax.UUCP (J. Shapiro)
Newsgroups: net.cog-eng
Subject: Re: mouse cursors and default menu selections
Message-ID: <807@sjuvax.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 6-Feb-85 03:17:52 EST
Article-I.D.: sjuvax.807
Posted: Wed Feb  6 03:17:52 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 8-Feb-85 00:46:54 EST
References: <420@decwrl.UUCP>
Organization: Saint Josephs Univ. Phila., Pa.
Lines: 48

[Aren't you hungry...?]

	When Apple adapted the pop-up menu/mouse combination (and bitmapped
display), they made some programming commitments to non-modal software.
This idea basically runs "The less the user has to remember about the
properties of the state he is in, the better." Remapping the meaning of
keys or the position of options on a menu is clearly prone to having people
forget the current mapping. How well would you do if someone kept remapping
the letters on your keyboard?

	The claim has been made that an exit option on a pop-up menu
typically involves as little cursor motion as moving out of the area. This
is true, but:

	1. Adding exit increases the size of the pop-up window, thereby
	overlaying more of the underlying area which provides visual 
	reminder of what the user was doing when he picked the menu.

	2. The natural thing for the user to do to deselect a window is
	to move out of it. If a selection is highlighted, reasonable natural
	behaviour is disallowed, which defeats the purpose of pop-up windows.

	One of the nicest things about bitmap displays is that they allow
applications to be flexible and easy to use for an expert while at the same
time (if carefully used) decreasing the chances that a novice will lose
themselves. I often get the impression that too little attention is given
to the fact that the application user wants to use the program in the least
brain straining fashion, and in most cases if that means an extra
centimeter motion of a mouse, big deal.

	With the advent of the popular bitmap display, we have a chance to
explore thoroughly the implications of user interface design. Apple has
made a start.  There are things I don't like about it, but we have a chance
to explore what is good, what we would prefer, and what is *EASY TO USE*.
Where ease of use does not conflict with flexibility and does not seriously
infringe on user convenience, I believe it should be actively sought. Is
having to move the mouse that extra inch really so painful in this light?

	Comments are welcome.  I am thinking of doing a thesis on this
topic and would like to hear alternate views. I would like to see the day
when the programmer/user interface becomes satisfactory to both. That takes
compr0mise, but I think that the bitmapped display with mouse/trackball
has potential.

	As usual, my opinions only.

Jon Shapiro
Haverford College