Sjoerd Visscher wrote:
> I don't agree. The user should know that, and most do I think. That's why
> there is an Apply button. Users are used to this. When a user edit a
> document, it is not changed until the document is (auto-)saved. When a user
> fills a form on the web, it has no effect until the form is submitted. ->
> When a user changes the preferences, he expects he can fiddle around with
> the widgets, without having an immediate effect on the program.
>
> How many users would be confused when they edit the color of the desktop,
> and the desktop color would not change. Not many. They know they'll have to
> press Ok or Apply first.
>
Ah, a Windows user :)
Seriously though, many of the Mac control panels simply take effect as
you do things, rather than making you confirm everything. Changing the
mouse speed is a good example of where it works well. Not that I'm
saying this style is better in every situation, but just because Windows
does something a certain way doesn't mean its the only way or the best.
Me, I like direct manipulation - I like making changes and seeing what I
changed immediately (or if it's going to take a while to process, at
least in a preview). OK/Apply/Cancel only feels natural because you're
used to it. In the real world you'd be a bit annoyed if you changed the
channel or volume on your TV and had to click OK - and clearly the idea
of a door handle with an OK button is ludicrous.
Of course, dialogs with direct manipulation of preferences should
respect Ctrl-Z for Undo, or a "Revert" button, which is one area where
the Mac UI falls down. Still most of the live preferences are non-destructive.
AndyT
