Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!steinmetz!ge-dab!codas!pdn!reggie From: reggie@pdn.UUCP (George W. Leach) Newsgroups: comp.windows.misc Subject: Re: Re: A/UX window systems, Mac tool...( Hum Interface) (calibration) Message-ID: <2457@pdn.UUCP> Date: 10 Mar 88 14:56:40 GMT References: <6895@drutx.ATT.COM> <13650002@hpsmtc1.HP.COM> Reply-To: reggie@pdn.UUCP (George W. Leach) Organization: Paradyne Corporation, Largo FL Lines: 40 In article <13650002@hpsmtc1.HP.COM> dlw@hpsmtc1.HP.COM (David Williams) writes: >So, the difference seems to be one of moving and clicking the mouse versus >moving the mouse. Now I'm sure the nanosecond police are going to say that >they save hundreds of man hours by not having to click the mouse, but it seems >a bit extreme to me! I think we are straying into a matter of personal opinion here on this issue as well as the issue of how many mouse buttons are appropriate. What is really needed are some empirical studies. The hardcopy and CRT terminal technology is fairly well studied in terms of human factors. The bit-mapped graphical user interface which typically uses windows, menus, icons, along with a mouse and keyboard for input has not been studied extensively enough to backup any arguements. My personal opinion on mouse buttons is a reflection of what I am accustomed to. I have used the Blit (DMD 6520), UNIX PC (7300), Sun 3, and a PC with a Logitech mouse. All have three buttons! So to me that seems natural. My opinion on context switching between windows is mostly based on personal preferences, but I also think I have a decent point to make. I prefer to click on the window I want to activate. There are two reasons. First, if I accidently bumb into the mouse I most often change the current window. I didn't want that to happen. I am loosing a bit of control. If I move the mouse and explicitly click on a window I definitely want a context switch to occur! My second reason is that once I activate a window I want the mouse cursor out of my view. Only with a point and click model can I move the mouse cursor off the window's real estate. -- George W. Leach Paradyne Corporation {gatech,rutgers,attmail}!codas!pdn!reggie Mail stop LF-207 Phone: (813) 530-2376 P.O. Box 2826 Largo, FL 34649-2826