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From: jps@cat.cmu.edu (James Salsman)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.x,comp.cog-eng
Subject: Re: focus window interface question
Message-ID: <3459@pt.cs.cmu.edu>
Date: 31 Oct 88 21:55:36 GMT
References: <317@aratar.UUCP>
Sender: netnews@pt.cs.cmu.edu
Organization: Carnegie Mellon
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In article <317@aratar.UUCP> chac@aratar.UUCP (Chuck Clanton) writes:
> i have been using window systems for a number of years, and still find that 
> with most windowing interfaces i end up typing into the "wrong" window a 
> disconcerting amount of the time ("focus" errors).  

I think that this is a fundamental stimulus-response compatibility issue.

Click to focus (ala Macintosh) works well for beginners as
well as those who are well-aquanted with the interface.
Mouse position for focus trips up experts and novices alike.

But, the best solution should be to select keyboard focus
from the KEYBOARD, ala the TI Explorer.  This lets experts
WIN BIG in time-for-task, but you have to teach keyboard
commands to novices who complain "why can't I use the
mouse?"  This isn't a problem on the TI since windows
usually take the whole screen thereby completly covering the
other windows.  Keep in mind that the Explorer's programming
interface is designed for programmers, and if you develop
a product for a USER, the interface is up to you.

:James
-- 

:James P. Salsman (jps@CAT.CMU.EDU)