Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!mips!spool.mu.edu!cs.umn.edu!ux.acs.umn.edu!oleary From: oleary@ux.acs.umn.edu (Doc O'Leary) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.system Subject: Re: Yet another Sys 7 glitch. Keywords: system,7 Message-ID: <4121@ux.acs.umn.edu> Date: 13 Jun 91 23:07:39 GMT References: <12037@hub.ucsb.edu> <4111@ux.acs.umn.edu> Distribution: comp Organization: University of Minnesota, Academic Computing Services Lines: 40 In article rcbaem@urc.tue.nl writes: >In <4111@ux.acs.umn.edu> oleary@ux.acs.umn.edu (Doc O'Leary) writes: >>place where you want to stick the file and THEN drag it? So auto-scrolling >>only works when you can't use the scroll bars yourself (moving a file in >>its own folder). How is this a "glitch"? > >Because of this. When you've got aliases to applications stored in a >folder (to replace On Cue) you don't want to scroll the alias into >view every time you want to drop a document on it! It's a hell of a hassel. >(And it's inconsistent..) Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but you'll *always* have to scroll the alias into view to drop something onto it. As far as consistency: it is and it isn't. No, all windows don't auto- scroll when you drag an icon close to their edge but, yes, you can count on the foremost window doing it every time. There are more issues to this than mere convenience for the user. Suppose you drag something to the edge of a partially/mostly hidden window. Should it auto-scroll? The computer doesn't know if you'll be able to see where you want the file to go or if even this is the window you want (the title may be hidden). Should it bring the window to the front and then auto-scroll? Again, is it the right window? How long should the computer wait before it brings the window to the front (you don't want every window you pass over to be brought to the front)? Will bringing the wrong window to the front complete obscure the window the user really wanted, thus seriously pissing said user off? Lots of questions in designing the interface. Apple did a pretty good job of addressing them in System 7. --------- Doc ********************** Signature Block : Version 2.6 ********************* * | * * "Was it love, or was it the idea | It's hard to look cool with your * * of being in love?" -- PF | arm Super-Glued to your forehead * * (BTW, which one *is* Pink?) | * * | --->oleary@ux.acs.umn.edu<--- * ****************** Copyright (c) 1991 by Doc O'Leary ********************