Re: Commercials protraying PC 20 years ago

"Jesus" <rustybucket666@xxxxxxxxx> stated in post
1178231339.089061.291050@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx on 5/3/07 3:28 PM:

Such a design is poor design choice on the part of the web designer,
as they should know that most computer users are using an interface
with a space-constrained taskbar.

Sure... but it is still pretty common. Some windows from a site I happen to
be on now (imagine cutting them off after, say, 10 or 20 characters)

Editorials & Opinion | Not just a tune-up, more domestic spying
| Seattle Times Newspaper

Editorials & Opinion | Neither sleet, nor snow, but maybe postal
rates | Seattle Times Newspaper

Such things are not that uncommon.

See how I have my desktop on my taskbar? Right-click an icon and pick
"Open file location". I have to ask, though... why?

How would I find where I you have Firefox installed?

Right-click Firefox, pick "Open file location", and Windows Explorer
opens with firefox.exe highlighted in the install folder.

You can do that if you have Firefox already available as a shortcut... but
what if it is merely opened?

Well, if you used the installer, you have the shortcuts. If you
didn't use the installer, you know where you installed it. ;-)

You do not always have shortcuts... they are either not put in by the
installer, deleted, or whatever. Yes, you might remember where you
installed it... if you installed it and not someone else. Still, no easy
way to just jump to it like there is in OS X. I use this quite a bit.

Yup. It's certainly a nice little feature. Microsoft probably won't
ever implement it, though.

I suspect not... though how hard would it be to add an option to the similar
menu on the taskbar. Of course, if you do that it breaks the metaphor of
those being tasks... a metaphor that is already shaky. :)

As for why: there are many times on a Mac when I do use this... to delete
the program, to move a program, etc. Of course, you cannot do so
directly on a Windows machine... but even then what if I want to pin that
program to the Start menu or make an alias?

Pin to the start menu is done by right-clicking the shortcut in All
Programs and picking "Pin to Start Menu". No finding of executables
needed. For making a shortcut, you can copy the existing shortcut.

How do I get to the shortcut though? Say I open file X and it opens a
program. I have no shortcut to it... other than buried somewhere in the
Start button... maybe.

Again, the "average user" would be using an installer, meaning there would
be shortcuts in at least the Start menu.

Buried... yes (with exceptions... many installers allow you to pick if you
want it there).

The average user doesn't change anything from the default, though.
They just click "next" until they get hit with malware and they can't
anymore.

True... but they do either delete shortcuts or clutter their desktops so
heavily they cannot find anything.

And then you have to know to right click items in a menu...
something people often do not know to do.

True.

They should take my classes - I teach them that! I specifically show them
pinning to the Start menu. Still, it is "complex" enough to baffle many.
Really.

No easy way to find where the program is to do that.

Yes there is. Right-click and pick "Open file location". :-)

On a Mac it is easy.

Just like on Windows in this case.

Incorrect - on the Mac you do not need to have a shortcut to easily be able
to make a shortcut. :)

True, but the mode of operation for the "average user" means that
there will always be shortcuts there unless the user deletes them, in
which case you have a valid point.

and to set the program to Open at Login (again, no
easy way for most users to do that on Windows).

That's handy for people who find the right-click menu... I'm guessing
not many do, though.

Just click and hold... many do find that.

Clicking and holding isn't very intuitive... people like instant
response. Holding isn't instant.

Well, Apple's now come with dual button mice. :)

MIGHTY MOUSE!

And a minor correction.. it is not a dual button rodent... that implied just
two.

Of course, some folks like 8 buttons... that is what I have. Hardly the
norm though.

Eight?! Why?

Here is the mouse I have: <http://www.nytejade.com/category/18/blogid/4>

Left: click

Right: right click

Forward and Back: different in different programs - in email and Usenet
client previous and next messages, in Safari and Firefox prev and next tabs,
etc.

Scroll wheel: different in different programs - in Safari and Firefox open
link in new tab, in Usenet client toggle show all / show unread, in Activity
Monitor open main window - etc

+ (forward) button: Dashboard

- (back) button: jump between windows in an application

Window button: hide application (used to be my show desktop exposé button...
but did not use it much)

I also value its excellent accuracy, great fit for my hand, a weight that
seems just right to me, etc. Overall I really like the mouse - though it is
*clearly* not for everyone. I would likely *never* suggest it to one of my
intro students.

For new users, though, two button mice can be confusing. Heck, once I
teach the concept of right-clicking people "forget" how to left click.
Maddening.

Sure is.

It is quicker than copying a shortcut to the Startup folder, though.

And to do that you will want to know where the program is... a reason
right there. :)

Nope. Copy an existing shortcut.

If you have one... and if not?

If not, you should stop being one of those stupid people who deletes
icons to speed up the computer.

I would love to have you sit in some of my classes. It is mind boggling how
much you and I and others in CSMA *do* know compared to many people. If you
do not work closely with new users you likely just cannot understand how
baffled they are by computers.

I try to avoid new users. They tend to piss me off after about the
twentieth time of telling them to stop double-clicking links. :-)

LOL! I pound in the idea that when in doubt *single* click first. We
practice. Really. Hey, the first couple of classes I cover how to even
*use* a mouse - how to hold it, what it means to click, double-click, click
and drag, right-click, etc. Takes some getting used to for many.


--
? OS X is partially based on BSD (esp. FreeBSD)
? OS X users are at far less risk of malware then are XP users
? Photoshop is an image editing application





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