Comments on: Down With Upper Case http://stuartsierra.com/2006/08/16/down-with-upper-case From programming to everything else Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:13:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Stuart http://stuartsierra.com/2006/08/16/down-with-upper-case#comment-986 Stuart Wed, 11 Oct 2006 14:39:37 +0000 http://stuartsierra.com/2006/08/16/down-with-upper-case#comment-986 James Says: <em>"I would die if the keyboard was a dumbed-down single input for text."</em> So would I. I'm thinking longer term here. When we have voice recognition, eye tracking, thin flexible displays, touch screens, and intelligent interfaces, I think CTRL and ALT will seem about as crude as a manual typewriter. James Says: “I would die if the keyboard was a dumbed-down single input for text.”

So would I. I’m thinking longer term here. When we have voice recognition, eye tracking, thin flexible displays, touch screens, and intelligent interfaces, I think CTRL and ALT will seem about as crude as a manual typewriter.

]]> By: James http://stuartsierra.com/2006/08/16/down-with-upper-case#comment-981 James Tue, 10 Oct 2006 15:14:28 +0000 http://stuartsierra.com/2006/08/16/down-with-upper-case#comment-981 Interfaces are a contextual thing and IMO, vary greatly with the task one is performing. Since computers are capable of so many different functions, it's apparent that they have many contexts that require different interfaces. For example, working with Photoshop I use my wacom tablet in one hand and my other hand to type in hotkeys with the keyboard. In many games, I sometimes only need to use my mouse. As a programmer though, I hate having to use anything but my keyboard. The problem for me is that switching contexts takes time. Many of the keys on a keyboard are there to save programmers and hard-core computer users time. The CTRL and ALT keys especially, but not exclusively -- the home and end keys are useful in many non-modal editors. I still use pageup/pagedown for scolling text in editors and even browsers when I'm looking up something quickly. Even "Print Screen" is handy for taking quick screen caps. IMO, the modern keyboard is useful because of its evolution. I would die if the keyboard was a dumbed-down single input for text. It's already the most used interface on my desk. I only use my other interfaces for rather specific contexts. Large interfaces with so many choices may be confusing for new users or users with specific use-contexts, but in the long run... choice is good for everyone. Interfaces are a contextual thing and IMO, vary greatly with the task one is performing. Since computers are capable of so many different functions, it’s apparent that they have many contexts that require different interfaces.

For example, working with Photoshop I use my wacom tablet in one hand and my other hand to type in hotkeys with the keyboard. In many games, I sometimes only need to use my mouse. As a programmer though, I hate having to use anything but my keyboard.

The problem for me is that switching contexts takes time. Many of the keys on a keyboard are there to save programmers and hard-core computer users time. The CTRL and ALT keys especially, but not exclusively — the home and end keys are useful in many non-modal editors. I still use pageup/pagedown for scolling text in editors and even browsers when I’m looking up something quickly. Even “Print Screen” is handy for taking quick screen caps.

IMO, the modern keyboard is useful because of its evolution. I would die if the keyboard was a dumbed-down single input for text. It’s already the most used interface on my desk. I only use my other interfaces for rather specific contexts.

Large interfaces with so many choices may be confusing for new users or users with specific use-contexts, but in the long run… choice is good for everyone.

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