Linked by Thom Holwerda on Sun 24th Jun 2007 13:44 UTC
Federkiel writes: "People working with Apple computers are used to a very consistent user experience. For a large part this stems from the fact that the Lisa type of GUI does not have the fight between MDI and SDI. The question simply never arises, because the Lisa type of GUI does not offer the choice to create either of both; it's something different all along. I usually think of it as 'MDI on steroids unified with a window manager'. It virtually includes all benefits of a SDI and and the benefits of an MDI." Read on for how I feel about this age-old discussion.
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Member since:
2005-06-29
And that's what they try to do and it doesn't always work that's when they start complaining.
You just don't seem to get it. If a user knows how to do action A on Windows just fine, and then OSX uses a different method (which you deem 'easier', something you cannot prove AT ALL), then it doesn't mean either of the two is "the hard way". It means just that - that both employ a different mean to achieve the same end.
On top of that, dragging and dropping is overrated. It is actually a VERY complicated and muscle-straining way of doing things. Using keyboard shortcuts or context menus to copy/paste things can not only be faster, but also easier on the muscles.
So actually when you make a switch it's always better to forget what you knew completely and start from scratch.
And that's something you cannot do, so this is a completely irrelevant remark.
Otherwise however productive and helpful Mac interface can be in theory, a user wouldn't be able to take advantage of it.
Ok, you REALLY didn't get it. The interface that is the best for user A is the interface that makes them do tasks in a way that is easiest and most familiar for them. If a user has been using Windows for 15 years, then the Mac is simply (probably) not the best way of doing things. It MIGHT become the best way, but that can take years - it might not happen ever.
Experience and training is not something you can just brush aside - something many self-proclaimed "usability experts" seem to do all too easily.
Edited 2007-06-24 15:05