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From: nrt@cs.brown.edu
Newsgroups: comp.cog-eng
Subject: Re: What to know & universal icons
Message-ID: <NRT.89Aug25143742@thayer.cs.brown.edu>
Date: 25 Aug 89 18:37:42 GMT
References: <19238@mimsy.UUCP> <1359@cbnewsd.ATT.COM> <440@mjolner.tele.nokia.fi>
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Organization: Brown University Department of Computer Science
Lines: 38
In-reply-to: eru@tnvsu1.tele.nokia.fi's message of 25 Aug 89 16:33:32 GMT

In article <440@mjolner.tele.nokia.fi> eru@tnvsu1.tele.nokia.fi (Erkki Ruohtula) writes:


   When one tries to push an arrow-shaped object through or into some thick
   medium, it moves more easily in the pointed direction than in
   the opposite direction. I think people learn this early, regardless
   of the culture (the "thick medium" may be equally well be seal flesh,
   a bale of hay, or styrox).

Or air, for that matter.

What about arrows of the following form?

                \
                 \
	---------->
                 /
                /

In this case I think that, once you know the arrow refers to position,
it is reasonable to think that the position would be marked by the
intersection of the lines in the diagram.  This brings up another
"universal" icon possibility: 'X' marks the spot.

(BTW, as far as the up arrow / down arrow business is concerned, I at
least have a specific memory of having to have the up arrow in a
traffic light explained to me as a child.


	Nick

Nick Thompson - nrt@cs.brown.edu

"When I say a thing is true, I mean that I cannot help believing it.
... But ... I do not venture to assume that my inabilities in the way
of thought are inabilities of the universe.  I therefore define truth
as the system of my limitations, and leave absolute truth for those
that are better equipped."    -- Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes