Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2010 10:30:08 +0100 From: Polytropon <freebsd@edvax.de> To: freebsd-questions@freebsd.org Subject: Re: Tips for installing windows and freeBSD both.. anyone?? Message-ID: <20101108103008.190bb967.freebsd@edvax.de> In-Reply-To: <20101107224109.GB2204@libertas.local.camdensoftware.com> References: <AANLkTi=WvFCUqd9P_CPRzL6A7f06eAuEb-sj6kEjVWuv@mail.gmail.com> <20101106190934.GB67566@libertas.local.camdensoftware.com> <20101106200239.00004b64@unknown> <20101106203213.GC13095@guilt.hydra> <20101106225446.GC67566@libertas.local.camdensoftware.com> <20101107101750.00006bd2@unknown> <20101107174106.GB77433@libertas.local.camdensoftware.com> <20101107185845.66745df2.freebsd@edvax.de> <20101107205122.GE17565@guilt.hydra> <20101107220729.000048f6@unknown> <20101107224109.GB2204@libertas.local.camdensoftware.com>
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On Sun, 7 Nov 2010 14:41:09 -0800, Chip Camden <sterling@camdensoftware.com> wrote: > Up to a point, yes. But as options become more complex, either the GUI > must also become more complex or you reach the tipping point where the > complexity warrants the use of language instead of gestures. This is a valid point. There was a statement - no idea who said or wrote that - expressing it well, and I'm sure I'm mapping it into context right now: GUI makes simple tasks simpler. It also makes complex tasks impossible. As a GUI is only "choosing from a predefined subset of options", complex tasks make the corresponding GUI more complex. This may proceed until the GUI isn't usable anymore. At this point, it gets abandoned, naturally. According to your point gestures vs. languages: Consider being a child. When you didn't have the ability to use language, you did point to objects and made a sound, "ga!" or "dah!" or whatever. Later on, when you learned to use the language, it started at not being perfect, but you kept learning it and then used it to express wishes, thoughts, needs. In this way, you did abandon pointing and "dah!". Why? It should have worked continuously - e. g. there was no obvious reason others would stop interacting with you at that non-language level. But that is how intellectual development works. It is an evolutionary consideration. Applying this to GUI and CLI concepts, GUI, pointing and clicking, resembles the childish way of nonverbal communication. CLI, forming statements using a language, is like verbal communication. The STRENGTH OF GUI (yes, I'm really saying that) is to aid using language elements, CLI. Arranging windows, presenting information, displaying structures, managing things. GUI alone, with no functional substance behind it, is useless. Sadly, you'll find more and more programs that have blingbling and "experience", but are useless to those who want to achieve a certain goal with it. -- Polytropon Magdeburg, Germany Happy FreeBSD user since 4.0 Andra moi ennepe, Mousa, ...
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