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==Metaphors== | ==Metaphors== | ||
One way to ease the dealing with a something new is to suggests that it works similarly to something the user already knows. This is often done to | One way to ease the dealing with a something new is to suggests that it works similarly to something the user already knows. This is often done to transferring real world principles to software interfaces and is also known as using a "metaphor". Like metaphors in language the metaphor transfers some aspects while some are not transferred - thats often good: if you do otherwise and try to transfer every single aspect you often end up with a use that has no advantages over the real world thing the metaphor is drawing from but is far more difficult to use. | ||
There are many metaphors around when you take a look at your computer's applications. The most times you will use metaphors by choosing a suitable name or icon for a function or desinging the workflow like a well known process. Though here are two examples of well known metaphers that almost rule the way we deal with the applications they are used in: | There are many metaphors around when you take a look at your computer's applications. The most times you will use metaphors by choosing a suitable name or icon for a function or desinging the workflow like a well known process. Though here are two examples of well known metaphers that almost rule the way we deal with the applications they are used in: | ||
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Often the principle of visibility is ignored to make the interface disappear in order to make the product look nicer. Sometimes it really adds a bit of aesthetics but for the price of easy use and learning. So don't do so. What can be invisible are accelerator mechanisms like shortsćuts as long as the functions they trigger are accessible in an other, visible way. | Often the principle of visibility is ignored to make the interface disappear in order to make the product look nicer. Sometimes it really adds a bit of aesthetics but for the price of easy use and learning. So don't do so. What can be invisible are accelerator mechanisms like shortsćuts as long as the functions they trigger are accessible in an other, visible way. | ||
==Feedback== | ==Feedback== | ||
[[File:746px-Eric_'slowhand'_Clapton.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Could Eric Clapton play guitar without feedback? Probably not!] | [[File:746px-Eric_'slowhand'_Clapton.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Could Eric Clapton play guitar without feedback? Probably not!]] | ||
While visibility ensures that users easily know what you can be done, offering feedback ensures that users know which results their actions have. | While visibility ensures that users easily know what you can be done, offering feedback ensures that users know which results their actions have. | ||
Feedback is a well known real world experience. When you cut bread you know see the knife moving and feel the change resistance. When you play an instrument you experience that a movement of you hand immediately changes the sound. | Feedback is a well known real world experience. When you cut bread you know see the knife moving and feel the change resistance. When you play an instrument you experience that a movement of you hand immediately changes the sound. | ||
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==Modeless Design== | ==Modeless Design== | ||
[[File:AppleCapsLock_PD.jpg|thumb|300px|Caps Lock Key. The little light offers feedback, but the users attention is drawn to the screen] | [[File:AppleCapsLock_PD.jpg|thumb|300px|Caps Lock Key. The little light offers feedback, but the users attention is drawn to the screen]] | ||
Everybody knows about the problems "modes" create though you may never heard about this term. But for sure you already had trouble with the Caps-Lock-Key that changes the rESULT oF tYPING. If you push the Caps-Lock you enter a mode. This means that: | Everybody knows about the problems "modes" create though you may never heard about this term. But for sure you already had trouble with the Caps-Lock-Key that changes the rESULT oF tYPING. If you push the Caps-Lock you enter a mode. This means that: | ||