Xref: utzoo comp.windows.misc:1021 comp.cog-eng:911
Path: utzoo!dciem!nrcaer!sce!cognos!emoffatt
From: emoffatt@cognos.uucp (Eric Moffatt)
Newsgroups: comp.windows.misc,comp.cog-eng
Subject: Re: Replacing the Desktop Metaphor
Message-ID: <5059@cognos.UUCP>
Date: 18 Jan 89 14:58:43 GMT
Article-I.D.: cognos.5059
References: <3234@sugar.uu.net> <12907@steinmetz.ge.com> <10867@s.ms.uky.edu> <550@island.uu.net>
Reply-To: emoffatt@cognos.UUCP (Eric Moffatt)
Organization: Cognos Inc., Ottawa, Canada
Lines: 59

In article <10867@s.ms.uky.edu> david@ms.uky.edu (David Herron -- One of the vertebrae) writes:
>
>you don't use Postit notes for selecting things that can be done in
>some environment.
>
>Pull down menu's represent ... control knob type things on mechanical
>devices????

More likely activation buttons (ie. "PLAY" on your favourite CD/Tape).
The pull down menus I use usually only allow selection of some
action, not setting of running attributes which is usually done through
dialogue boxes.

As a replacement for the "desktop" metaphor why not use a stereo component
system?? Take a look at the embedded ideas:

1) Dual State switches:
 ON/OFF, Loudness,...usually with a build-in feedback mechanism (LED).

2) Multiple Choice: 
 They're CALLED "Radio Buttons" fer goshsake. A la your (pre '80's :-))
 car radio.

3) Range Selection: 
 Volume Controls, Tuners. These come in a variety of nice feedback
 mechanisms (Digital, Scale...).  Also, there are a number of different
 input techniques supported (rotating Knob, Slider, numerical entry...).

4) Dynamic Feedback:
 V.U. meters....again with a number of well defined feedback machanisms.
 (real "Meters", LED's...)

5) Data Input:
 Tapes (Read/Write) and CD's/Records (Read/Only) sometimes with automatic
 copy and multiple input sources. Even includes EXTERNAL (ie. Network)
 input via the RADIO when "tuned" to an available channel (Node).

6) Data Output:
 To stretch things a bit (if I haven't already :-)) you could imagine a
 screen (video monitor) on which output data can be displayed and onto
 which each component can carry on dialogues with the user.

   When using a physical metaphor of this type it is important to examine
why the "look and feel" of your favourite stereo is as it is. There are
experts in Physical User Interfaces (called "Industrial Designers", I 
think) who have had MANY (>100) years to refine their techniques. Surely
some of this info is useful.

   Perhaps each APPLICATION should come with it's own "Hardware Interface"
complete with meters, dials, buttons... "look and Feeling" like the actual
Physical items. Some work has been done in this area but I don't have any
references (e-mail anyone ??).


-- 
Eric (Pixel Pusher) Moffatt - Cognos Incorporated: 3755 Riverside Drive
Voice: (613)738-1440 (Research) FAX: (613)738-0002 P.O. Box 9707
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