On 22/10/2010, at 3:52 AM, [email protected] wrote: > On 2010-10-21 13:08 , Ashley Aitken wrote: >> It's probably hard to believe (?) but I think most people who use computers >> don't multi-task, or at least need to run two applications side-by-side >> (e.g. think iPad). > > i think they live with it on the iPad because there's a perception that > there's not room (when really the processor and memory are the limitations); > however once upon a time we had even smaller screens, and someone realized > Desk Accessories were worth having, then Multifinder, and then we loved it > when screens grew (to still less than iPad resolution) and two windows could > be used side-by-side; people who did actual work had no doubts that these > were advances
Hey, I remember all that, and the switching between full-window apps reminds me of the early Multifinder, or was it called something else, functionality. I'm also a big fan of multiple windows (and multiple monitors) and multiple apps, they're great for us truck drivers to get complex work done. > 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 Yes, I agree. I used to wonder how Apple would facilitate usesr who want to work on "projects" that use files from different apps / domains on iPad. I now think they aren't going to, at least not any further than allowing you access to iDisk and similar that have traditional folders and thus allow files from multiple apps / domains to be grouped. That said, it's a pity that iWork apps on iPad (AFAIK) can't work on files directly on the iDisk cache and sync etc. One seems to have to "copy" them into the app folder and then "save" them back to the iDisk. Remember also, full screen apps on Mac OS X will still have the folder hierarchy underneath. "Most people" can just save files as "Untitled (N)" in Documents whilst truck drivers can use project folders etc. > away from the iPad, my observation is that young people today are watching a > twitter feed while doing their homework; they may also watch a movie and have > a chat running at the same time; i'm flabbergasted at the level of > multitasking young people do today; Yes, that's true too, but I think they are usually only working on one application. Being able to hit a key and switch to Dashboard to check up on Twitter feeds is still pretty easy. If you do want to watch a movie, whilst working on iPhone, whilst watching your Twitter feed then, as I said previously, the multiple window traditional GUI is not going way. >> Most people drive automatic (as opposed to manual gear changing) cars. > > a flawed analogy because the gear shift is one of many controls and displays > that are all in view and usable simultaneously Yes you are right, poor analogy. > and there is quite a bit of multitasking going on in cars today -- audio, > GPS, cell phones, food & drink, flipping fingers, shaving ... Forgetting about the food & drink, cell phones, flipping fingers (not sure what that is), and shaving, all the rest are pretty much a single window app for driving ;-) Cheers, Ashley. -- Ashley Aitken Perth, Western Australia mrhatken at mac dot com Skype Name: MrHatken (GMT + 8 Hours!) _______________________________________________ MacOSX-talk mailing list [email protected] http://www.omnigroup.com/mailman/listinfo/macosx-talk
