[NTLUG:Discuss] Linux Distro

[kbrannen@gte.net]

Terry Hancock wrote:
> On Thursday 13 March 2003 02:15 pm, kbrannen at gte.net wrote:
...
> I also don't think we have exhausted the scope of possible interface methods.

That is an interesting point.  I'd love to have a thread to explore this, but 
NTLUG is probably not the place, as there's probably not enough GUI developers 
here (but then maybe I don't fully understand who all is signed up. :-)

> 
> Several interface models which are currently only to be found in games have 
> not been seriously applied to GUI environments:
> 
> 1) Agent-assisted CLI. The agent reads what you write and what responses you 
> get and offers context sensitive reactions and/or buttons.

You mean like Clippy?!  ;-) ;-) ;-)

I once write a Motif GUI that allowed a person to use the mouse on dynamically 
changing lists to do work, plus it had a "command-line" at the bottom in case 
the user wanted to use that to do the same work (trying to have my cake and 
eat it too).  It was a front-end to SCCS, which will tell some folks how long 
ago I wrote that. (almost 10 years ago :-)  It was fairly well received by the 
small group of developers it was released to.  I wonder if a combo GUI/CLI 
interface would be useful in more places.

> 2) Tool -- Workpiece == Verb -- Noun interface (implemented in a limited way 
> by "drag and drop" interfaces --> drag document to printer icon to print.)
> This is a popular model in drawing programs, for example -- you pick up the 
> "paintbrush" and act on the "canvas" you see one behavior.  You pick up a 
> "pencil", act on the "canvas" and see a different behavior.  An "edit" tool 
> could open a target file icon using the "preferred form for modification".  A 
> "view" icon would open it in the "preferred form for viewing".  And so on.

I would think the number of places you could do this would be pretty limited, 
but then maybe I'm not being very creative just now.

> 
> Commercial vendors won't take chances on ideas like this, but open-source 
> developers are not so limited.  Maybe we should quit playing 
> follow-the-leader and start trailblazing.  Until we do, there will be no 
> "killer-app" for getting people to switch en masse.

Totally agree!

> 
> 
>>It seems you're asking about GUI apps.  Always ask; the worst you should 
> 
> get 
> 
>>is deafening silence because we're clueless about your problem too.
> 
> 
> Bear in mind that he responded with his tirade when he not only didn't get an 
> answer, but got abused for asking the question.  So silence is *not* the 
> worst that can happen. 

In my defense, I did say "should".  But alas, you are correct that may not be 
the actual outcome.  Abusing converts is NOT the way to get more...sigh...

Kevin