Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site orca.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!whuxlm!whuxl!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!orca!warner From: warner@orca.UUCP (Ken Warner) Newsgroups: net.cog-eng Subject: Re: default menu item selection Message-ID: <1336@orca.UUCP> Date: Sun, 3-Feb-85 14:28:02 EST Article-I.D.: orca.1336 Posted: Sun Feb 3 14:28:02 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 6-Feb-85 03:43:15 EST References: <722@ihuxa.UUCP> <778@sdcsla.UUCP> Reply-To: warner@orca.UUCP (Ken Warner) Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR Lines: 38 Summary: Keywords:pop-up,menu The debate on pop-up menus (pums) is a symptom of a fundamental flaw in current computer systems. Not enough screen space to hold a complete work space. No more need be said about the analogy of the tty screen to a desk top. Or the attempts to mimic a desk top with a clever interface. The use of pums to increase the informational capacity of the electronic work space (a 24 by 80 character screen) only over loads a users mental work space. Not only does a user have to concentrate on the task at hand. But also keep reinforcing short term memory information about the contents and use of his current pums configuration. Granted, a statically configured menu system (one that never changes) could be used with less over loading once learned to the point of automaticity. Of course this requires no change in the task at hand. My point is pums wouldn't be needed if there was enough electronic workspace to have all necessary menus and the task at hand visible at all times. So where does this extra workspace come from? Well, there are now many companies producing several types of flat panel displays with the pixel capacity equal to or greater than the currently standard 24 by 80 character screen. For the most part they are low power consumption devices. They are also not very expensive and will be getting even cheaper. I see systems of the future (and not too distant) having multiple screens. Perhaps as many as you want. With very high resolution and color. A user will spread them out on desk or floor, prop them up on books, hold them in his hand or on his lap. Small ones for scratch pads. Large ones for composition. Current window packages already provide the software methods to manage multiple screens. It will be only a matter of time before some daring young company breaks out of the single screen mentality. It will be like breaking a dam. Ken Warner... somewhere in the northwest.