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From: hammy@ctt.bellcore.com
Newsgroups: comp.human-factors
Subject: Thing Icon
Message-ID: <1991Jun24.145525.0167@MEMPHIS.wif.ctt.bellcore.com>
Date: 24 Jun 91 18:46:31 GMT
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Newsgroups: comp.human-factors

Someone (I forget who) suggested a kitchen sink icon as a solution to the
THING problem.  I disagree on three counts.  Firstly, only native english speakers
are likely to be familiar with the cliche.  Secondly, although context does count
for something, there may be other interpretations of the sink icon ("washing one's
hands [of]", "sink deeper into something", heat sink in certain applications, etc.).

Finally, my memory of the cliche in question is "everything but the kitchen sink".
Now given that text, what does the kitchen sink icon mean?  It would appear to me
to represent any object that is the most unlikely object under the circumstances -
the idea being that every other object (*but* - ie except - this one) has been
included.

The point is that using an icon as a metaphor, rather than as a direct representation,
is not necessarily a good idea since by its very nature, a metaphor relies on
context.

The same applies to using a pictorial representation of the roots of a plant to mean
"ROOT".  An icon representing a homonym of the desired term can require sophistication
in the presentation language, in addition to context, to understand.

John.
_____

John G. Smith   	email : hammy@ctt.bellcore.com
RRC 1H-213       	phone : (201) 699-4530