Re: [Usability] Future of the menu top bar?

["Shane M. Coughlan" <shane shaneland co uk>]

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Thom Holwerda wrote:
> The fear of alienating Windows users should NOT get in the way of
> developing a user interface. The moment it does, you might as well stop
> developing UIs altogether.
> Where would mankind be if it only stuck to what it knew?

Hi Thom

Perhaps the most important point here is that while Windows might be 95%
of the market, that does not mean that their usability is right.  We
should not aim to be like Windows because Windows looks a certain way.
Features that show productivity and ease-of-use increases should be
adopted, and features that are unhelpful dropped.

Our game must not be to mimic the leader, but rather to focus on what
will increase real productivity in challenging environments.  If we can
reduce time-to-task, decrease visual confusion, and reduce 'seek time'
then we are doing something positive.

We have some many opportunities to develop system that improve people's
lives.  It is highly important that we do not institute random,
emotional or simply copycat changes.  We have the resources, ability and
time to focus on advancement.  Let this advance be scientific, provable
and repeatable.

I'm preparing some papers at the moment about semiotics and
application/web design.  I'm hoping to have the first one out before the
end of the month.  Perhaps they can contribute something useful in an
overarching conceptual way.  Meanwhile, I know Microsoft have a
usability team.  Could we ask them for a copy of their Vista HIG?

Shane

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Shane Martin Coughlan
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