Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!rphroy!caen!uwm.edu!bionet!agate!eos!data.nas.nasa.gov!wk207!uselton From: uselton@nas.nasa.gov (Samuel P. Uselton) Newsgroups: comp.graphics Subject: Re: Images vs. Text Message-ID: <1991Apr16.182155.5096@nas.nasa.gov> Date: 16 Apr 91 18:21:55 GMT References: <10292@pitt.UUCP> <1991Apr3.031013.27762@watserv1.waterloo.edu> <1991Apr03.152708.147@convex.com> Sender: Sam Uselton, Organization: NAS Program, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA Lines: 53 Michael writes: >Jeff writes: >> >>***** >>I find it difficult to believe that the power of text can be >>ever approached by 'point-and-grunt' user interfaces. Text >>gives us the power to develop and name abstract concepts; >>icons don't do this so well. >> >>Jeff Hultquist >>***** > > >then what do you call mathematics? :-) > >michael j pastor iii >guest on melinda's account ?!? Mathematics is very far from being a purely iconic language. Textual languages are distinguished by (among other things) a sophisticated syntax, sensitive to the ordering of the symbols and often requiring punctuation. Mathematical notation qualifies on both counts. Whether the symbols used are phonetically associated with their pronunciation is less relevant to this discussion of use in a computer interface. Typing in the formula I want is much quicker than selecting buttons, if I'm doing more than a 4 function calculator can handle. Iconic interfaces have some strengths. The are particularly useful for new, unsophisticated (uninitiated?) users - people who don't know the technical jargon. They can easily provide a small set of commands that satisfy a large fraction of needs, and can be constrained to prevent many "new-user" errors. Menus accomplish much the same purpose, in a more language dependent way. Text based interfaces are more flexible. They (typically) permit a larger vocabulary of commands. They allow a wider range of syntactic glue than is available with point and click. They may also be faster to use for the people who are sufficiently expert. If you are talking about POWER of an interface, command/text wins. If you are talking about EASE of use BY A NOVICE or by some one satisfied with a fixed set of capabilities, or someone who is an infrequent user of the system, then a well designed point-and-click may win. (IMHO of course.) Sam Uselton uselton@nas.nasa.gov ex-prof (CS) & sometime mathematician employed by CSC working for NASA (Ames) speaking for myself