[linux-audio-dev] Re: mouse wheel behavior and RFC: human interface guidelines

[John Check]

On Sunday 22 August 2004 09:18 am, Artem Baguinski wrote:
> John Check wrote:
> >>Sorry, I disagree.  This kind of thing is MADDENING for users and makes
> >>Linux look fly-by-night.
> >
> > That presumes we have a monopoly on inconsistency. ;)
>
> no we don't ;)
>
> on any system where one can install components there will allways be
> inconsistency. mutations make sure the species... sorry interfaces evolve.
>
> > Having a consistent interface will definitely work to our advantage, but
> > I'm talking about near term when I say things like that. Being as I'm not
> > going to be the one coding, I can't say "must" or "has to".
>
> "consistent interface" is idealisation that professors of human
> interaction use. it's a useful idealisation but it has troubled
> surviving in the real world.
>
> if the whole bunch of people sais the consistent behavior is braindead -
> it's better off changed. after all the goal of consistency was to make
> people not notice the interface.
>
> >>Of course, you can't force people to follow human interface guidelines
> >>in the free software world.  All we can do is carefully develop them
> >>based on what users want, then if you choose not to comply you are
> >>explicitly stating that you are hubristically choosing to ignore the
> >>users need for a consistent experience.
>
> people do not need consistent experience, people need to get the work
> done. consistency is one of the tools that make getting the work done
> easier, but it isn't a goal in itself.

Hobgoblin of small minds and all that. ;) People do like to complain though,
so a spirit bead is always good.