"Andy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message [EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]...
> 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
The problem is that some cases allow direct manipulation and some don't. And
since it is hard to reflect that in the UI, it's very confusing to the user.
So it's better not to allow direct manipulation, for a consistent user
experience.
Nevertheless, in both cases the Preferences item should not have an
ellipsis.
Sjoerd
