Re: 3D, Microsoft, and Linux

[<nuke bayside net>]

On Tue, 11 Aug 1998, Tom Vogt wrote:

> Dan Effugas Kaminsky <effugas@best.com> wrote:
> > (Let me tell you--this is Microsoft's strategy...100% 3D interface will
> > obsolete 90% of computers, they hope).
> 
> and fail.
> 
> 90% of PEOPLE don't have a very good 3d imagination. something I learned
> long ago. look into the jobs that require 3d thinking - you will find they
> aren't exactly filled to capacity.
> 
> furthermore, women have (on average) a harder time at these kinds of things
> (I'm not being macho here - they have other areas where they easily leave
> men in the dust).
> 
> hm, what does this mean for GNOME and all? I'd say keep 3d to a minimum.
> raised buttons and such are good (real-life link), but the second you
> require your user to imagine something in his head, you'll lose 10% of your
> customers. every time.

a friend of mine (whose uncle was a "software test engineer" for microsoft)
was blathering on about what they plan to do for Windows 2000. i would have
thought his imagination was running wild, but it all seemed like something
they would do.

he described how icons will have opengl-based 3d animation, how new windows
can slide/fly onto your screen, and other similar tricks in the titlebar. of
cousre, the user would always have the ability to turn those off. but when
there's someone just 'browsing' through a Sears or Computer City, lots of neat
3d effects are going to catch an eye.
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