Jim, for both scenarios you posted I think there should be a "smart default" that matches 80% usage scenario. for instance I would argue that pdf should open with vertical maximized view and then remember user state per file.
Then there is an alternative state that can be accessed through a shortcut - alt click. OSX has done this really well. These are what I refer to as "hidden gems" and they make the experience better On top of this we get into a preference layer where users can set their preference. A lot of preference should be implicit by the software remembering or understanding the state. For instance with Omnigraffle if I duplicate an element and place the duplicate in a manner that it is aligned in a certain way and has a certain distance, then the next time I duplicate it uses the delta I set with previous duplicate and duplicates the object and also duplicates the delta (my pseudo preference). An explicit preference becomes th last step for the users who want complete control and have uncommon needs. For instance I use a JavaScript shortcuts as a bookmark to re size my browser to 1024 size. I needs this to be able to test the apps that I work on in required resolutions. I think the core idea you are referring to is very relevant, I don't think the solution is in display more options to everyone. Most users would only find it confusing IMHO. Cheers Alok Jain (AJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Posted from the new ixda.org http://www.ixda.org/discuss?post=44088 ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [email protected] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
