On 21 Oct 2010, at 20:52, [email protected] wrote: > the problem with allowing applications to provide specific simultaneous-view > options (e.g. photos in iPhoto) is that the problem domain is then defined by > the application; a windowing interface still has merit, i believe, because > the user can define the problem domain with more precision and subtlety than > any app; some of what people appreciate in iOS today is a temporary diversion > because frustration about needless complexity has been channeled into delight > over needless simplicity -- it's an historical see-saw effect
An aspect of this is that, would I rather look at one beautifully designed and laid out screen of panes, tools, and data, or would I rather assemble an "open" collection of windows and tools, custom arranged, and placed wherever I choose? An app might contain several panes, widgets, etc. and as such, be as complex to look at as having three simple apps next to each other... however... the complex app has been designed (well, hopefully) so that all those panes and data look beautiful and display the information in the most effective way. On mobile devices Apple has shown that there are ways to improve the design of the app so that the display is beautifully used, and that was necessary given the size and handheld nature of mobile devices, but wouldn't it be nice if we could take more advantage of that on desktop machines as well? It is the old dilemma about customisation; I want to be able to customise, but it is even better if the designers did a better job than I could have and they just provide an optimum solution ready for me to use. Of course it is never absolutely optimum, but then my own customisations are never perfect either. So again there's a see saw between two extremes. Stefano _______________________________________________ MacOSX-talk mailing list [email protected] http://www.omnigroup.com/mailman/listinfo/macosx-talk
