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From: hnridder@cs.ruu.nl (Ernst de Ridder)
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.programmer
Subject: Re: editor
Message-ID: <1991Apr15.093654.13172@cs.ruu.nl>
Date: 15 Apr 91 09:36:54 GMT
References: <1491@lehi3b15.csee.Lehigh.EDU> <1991Apr10.131643.16038@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu> <1991Apr10.184259.2993@demott.com> <4803@gumby.Altos.COM>
Organization: Utrecht University, Dept. of Computer Science
Lines: 45

In <4803@gumby.Altos.COM> jerry@gumby.Altos.COM (Jerry Gardner) writes:

>like Epsilon, a large part of Brief is written in the extension langauage,
>and the compiler and source is provided.
In Epsilon the division between user and kernel-layer is neater (at least
when I examined Brief, about 1.5 yrs ago).  EEL (Epsilon Extension Language)
is (was) faster than the Brief extension language.

>brief has a much more intuitive user interface than the EMACS interface 
>Epsilon uses.  And the recently released Brief 3.1 has mouse support.
	"intuitive" is a matter of personal taste and also a real buzz
word: nowadays, every program is called intuitive.  The "intuitive
user interface" was invented when programmers discovered that most
users prefer simplicity above power.  I sometimes wonder whether
anybody understands the meaning and importance of it.  I never saw a
power-program which can be used intuitively (using your intuition
instead of the manual/your memory).  I did encounter programs which
are easier to learn than others.  And I do prefer spending some time
learning a great tool, then being able to use something powerless
without learning it; I just would miss the features.

But to return to Brief <--> Epsilon:
	Using Emacs-style keybindings it is possible to touchtype,
which is faster than looking at the keyboard and using two fingers.
Another advantage is minimal dependance on the keyboard layout and the
wide range of emacs-style editors that is available. (easier to move
to another platform).
	In editors, mice are a Crime with capital C.  When you edit,
you've got your fingers on the keyboard and your eyes on the screen or
a paper (normally).  It really slows down to move your hand from the
keyboard to the mouse, moving it, and then repositioning your hand at
the keyboard.  Mice are NOT NEEDED in a good editor.

Ernst

P.S.
	I know above doesn't sound friendly and does sound a bit
arrogant, but I'm just getting sick of the talk about
user-friendliness, mice and intuitive user-interfaces.  Please take no
offence.
-- 
	Qualitas qualitatem inducit. Semper ego qualitatem.

popa
iret