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