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From: weamc@pyuxa.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.cog-eng
Subject: Re: windows...
Message-ID: <420@pyuxa.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 7-Dec-83 13:53:27 EST
Article-I.D.: pyuxa.420
Posted: Wed Dec  7 13:53:27 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 9-Dec-83 07:40:43 EST
References: <6196@watmath.UUCP>, <507@dciem.UUCP>, <1490@utcsstat.UUCP> <410@pyuxa.UUCP>, <370@sun.uucp>
Organization: Bell Labs, Piscataway
Lines: 22

I don't have anything against windows, per se. I am aware of the analogy
between over-lapping windows on a CRT and the little piles of notes
on a desk. What irritates me is the head-long rush to announce software
with "windows." I am not convinced that the analogy is an apt one, because
no one has done any research (that I've seen) to indicate that windows do
help the user. In a time-sharing system, bit-mapped displays would impose
an huge load on the system. 
An example of this is the infamous BLIT terminal,
(Bell Labs Intelligent Terminal) which requires a special software front end
to run, and reportedly drastically slows system response.
I suspect that there are cheaper ways to provide some of the things that
windows provide.
   As far as using a mouse goes, I have used a Lisa, and found the mouse
irritating because I had to keep moving my hand off the keyboard. I was 
doing text input, which was part of the problem.
   I don't have anything against new ideas, but it bothers me that they
are picked up and used before the paint on the old stuff is barely dry.
The poor slob of a user suffers as he is told, time after time, that 
the framistan is the cure for all his or her ills. (Replace framistan
with data base, user-friendly, windows, mouse, UNIX, bit-mapped, etc...).
    
                         Andy Cohill