Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!csd4.csd.uwm.edu!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!ginosko!husc6!sunfs3!kent From: kent@sunfs3.camex.uucp (Kent Borg) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac Subject: Re: What's that thing (really Mac philosophy) Message-ID: <487@sunfs3.camex.uucp> Date: 24 Aug 89 15:45:38 GMT References: <1446@draken.nada.kth.se> <34192@apple.Apple.COM> <2696@spray.CalComp.COM> Reply-To: kent@sunfs3.UUCP (Kent Borg) Organization: Camex, Inc., Boston, Mass USA Lines: 45 In article <2696@spray.CalComp.COM> anson@spray.UUCP (Ed Anson) writes: > >As an aside, I might point out that the presence of Easy Access as a default >violates some of the most fundamental elements of Apple's User Interface >Guidelines. In particular, it causes unexpected (surprising) behavior, and >tends to lead to frustration. These problems are fundamental. > >I think I should also point out that the originator of this thread is not >the first to have this problem. Nor will he be the last. I know it confused >me a bit when it first came out. When I found out what was happening, my >thoughts were something like this: Neat idea! I can see how some people will >really appreciate having this! But why isn't it in the utilities folder so >only the people who need it -- and are aware of it -- can put it into their >System folders to make use of it? One of the beauties of the Macintosh is that I can use one where ever I find one. I can get new and different programs to do things for me--without looking at the manual. Easy Access is great if it can help some handicapped people use Macintoshes. Should those handicapped people also be allowed to walk up to a random Macintosh and use it? I think so, but it is only possible for some of them if Easy Access is installed already. By having Easy Access on the System Tools disk rather than on one of the utility disks, the odds are improved that it will be there. Should Easy Access be more obvious in its use? Sure, and the "What is"-help I mentioned yesterday should make it so--assuming it really does make it into 7.0. Also I would like to mention the mouse-keys feature of easy access. By pressing cmd-shift-clear, the key pad turns into a cursor pad for moving the mouse. 8 is up, 4 is left, 3 is down and right, etc. 5 is the mouse button, 0 locks the mouse button, and the period releases a locked down button. Clear again turns off mouse-keys. I use it all the time when in drawing programs and I want precise positioning. I like Easy Access even though I am not its target audience. Kent Borg kent@lloyd.uucp or ...!husc6!lloyd!kent