Re: [MMM] Good-Bye

Hi JL,

>>*even-less-smarter*

Even-less-smarter, eh?

>Given a little leeway in interpretation, I take this to mean that
>Windows simplifies a number of work tasks by hard-wiring (if I might use
>that term) many configurations, which users are unable to re-configure
>and thus must simply take gratis; in command-line operating systems the
>user is still relatively free to constantly re-configure his/her system
>-- and programs -- as needed by that user, depending on knowledge and
>skill.

Not true. GUIs and command-line interfaces are in principle
functionally equivalent. As for customization, Windows (for example)
allows plenty of customization of its GUI, as do various linux desktop
systems.

>This is perfectly fine, right and proper. It adequately explains -- to
>me, at any rate -- why GUIs might simply be redundant, when individual
>users can re-configure to their heart's content on a daily basis.

It isn't a matter of configuring, it's a matter of which is faster.
There's faster for new users and faster for practiced ones. Done
right, GUIs are generally faster for new users. The answer for
practiced users is harder. An interesting experiment performed by
Apple during their research for the Lisa found that skilled users
reported doing tasks more quickly with a command line, but the
actual time elapsed was the same! The cognitive psych. explanation
is that the mind is kept busier by command line use and hence time
seems to pass more quickly.

Though in principle a GUI can be made to express any feature set
available with a command line system, in practice GUIs are faster
for some tasks and the command line faster for others.
A good example of GUIs being faster is drawing software. Try
entering vector paths in a command line and get back to me!

One of the major slowdowns associated with GUI use is the mouse.
Specifically, the time it takes to "context switch" your hand
between the keyboard and mouse. This can be reduced by about
an order of magnitude by using IBM's "Trackpoint" pointing
stick (red eraser thing in the middle of the keyboard).

>Another thing illuminated: Time to move on. Lots of music still
>left to write, you know. Good luck to you all.

Don't let this guy turn you off. Anyone who says stuff like
that is either a moron, or just trying to upset you.

-Carl

"There is no political solution
To Our Troubled Evolution..." -- The Police