Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!caen!umich!wsu-cs!pandora.cs.wayne.edu!jal
From: jal@pandora.cs.wayne.edu (Jason Leigh)
Subject: Re: Hey, Commodore has a brain everybody! (Marketing)
Message-ID: <1991Jun12.023209.19315@cs.wayne.edu>
Reply-To: jal@pandora.cs.wayne.edu (Jason Leigh)
Organization: Wayne State University, Detroit
References: <29305@know.pws.bull.com>
Date: Wed, 12 Jun 91 02:32:09 GMT


While we're on this subject of marketing I've been thinking about
Apple is doing with Macintosh.

I teach an introductory course in computer science and my first assignment
usually is to have all my students go to the lab and check out a
Guided Tour to the Macintosh disk.  This is an autobooting disk that
slowly but surely teaches the user how to use the machine without having
to read the manual.  In addition I've noticed that System 7 has had
some nice improvements to help users; in particular Thought Balloons.
There are small windows in the shape of comic strip thought balloons that
appear whenever your mouse comes into contact with something that has
been programmed to include some help information.  For example when you
move the mouse over to the resize gadget a balloon appears explaining
what the gadget does.  That has great potential for novice users
and especially users of any new piece of software.
After a while these balloons start to get in the way, but fortunately
there is a menu selection that will allow you to turn it off.

Question: Wouldn't it help if Amiga also had a guided tour disk that
would make the Amiga an easier machine to use; like the Mac?

And, who would like to write a PD equivalent of thought balloons
for the Amiga (perhaps using voice as well)? :^)


Jason Leigh

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