22 Apr
2015
22 Apr
'15
10:39 p.m.
On Wed, Apr 22, 2015 at 06:34:25AM -0700, Len Ovens wrote:
A knob is ok if it works similar. Knobs that insist
that I touch the
knob pointer and move that in a tiny arch to adjust and where the
pointer flips from one end to the other if I make the wrong move are
not easier to move on stage...
That's just bad design.
A knob picture is fine, it shows the
user "this is a continuously variable control" while using a lot
less screen realestate than a slider would.
Exactly. Also our vision is much better at perceiving angles than
linear positions, in particular in situations where you have to
verify something quickly.
Something similar is true for real knobs. They provide support
for your hand while you're using them. Try controlling a linear
fader on a portable recorder while you're running.
A knob that looks like a
knob but works like a slider is what is needed. Being able to change
value by moving the knob (or trying to) up and down or left and
right is much more usable than trying to move the mouse in tiny
circles. I would suggest being able to adjust using both up/down and
left/right so that controls can be close to screen edge and still
work.
All the 'rotary' controls on my apps work that way. And you can
also adjust them with the mouse wheel. Finer steps with Shift
pressed.
Ciao,
--
FA
A world of exhaustive, reliable metadata would be an utopia.
It's also a pipe-dream, founded on self-delusion, nerd hubris
and hysterically inflated market opportunities. (Cory Doctorow)