IOS 6: Higher Hanging Fruit • Hacker News Board

Re: IOS 6: Higher Hanging Fruit

#91

Post by MatthewPhillips » Tue, Jun 05, 2012, 1:14 AM UTC

ZenPsycho wrote: post #89

MatthewPhillips wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you suggesting that there is no need to have open file formats? No need to use more than 1 app on a single file?

I'm saying that your reasoning about the problem is stuck on outdated metaphors, and your imagination may be irrevokably damaged. You are asking the wrong questions, and so the only possible answer is "mu" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mu_(negative) Let me put this another way- Having to work with files is a problem which is caused by computers. It is not a problem that existed before computers which is now solved by…

You're deflecting the question. Computers have documents, files, or whatever it is that you want to call them. Some times we want to edit them with more than 1 program. How do you propose that we do so, absent the file metaphor? Perhaps there is a better way, I look forward to your solution.

Or perhaps you are suggesting that we shouldn't have documents at all? We shouldn't have word processors or spreadsheets, or pictures. I can't tell because your comments lack directness.

Re: IOS 6: Higher Hanging Fruit

#92

Post by MatthewPhillips » Tue, Jun 05, 2012, 1:17 AM UTC

ZenPsycho wrote: post #90

MatthewPhillips wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It is too complicated and abstract for ordinary people to understand Evidence? > spiced with a sense of inherent danger since critical system files cannot be modified without doing significant damage to the system- system files that are right there along your ordinary user files Not on any operating system released in nearly 10 years. > impossible to find unless you can remember what you named it. UX is a problem,…

The evidence for the file system problem can be found in pretty much any book about user interfaces, but I have already linked to one in the post you are replying to. But aside from any arbitrary book on the subject, the evidence is not hard to find. All you really have to do is watch a computer novice try to use a computer for any length of time. I don't know what operating systems you are using, but My mac with the…

> I don't know what operating systems you are using, but My mac with the latest operating system still has a multiple "library" folders and a "system" folder. I presume windows 7 still has a windows folder, a program files folder, and documents and settings folders. Any unix type system has /usr /bin /var /etc . These things are so apparently ingrained it appears you are incapable of perceiving them.

Those operating systems do separate user and system files with different permissions. Some even default to putting user files on a separate partition.

> as for your third point, this is what is called the fallacy of the false dichotomy or false dilemma. The solution for this is that there's more than just the 2 options you are imagining.

Please enlighten me.

Re: IOS 6: Higher Hanging Fruit

#93

Post by headShrinker » Tue, Jun 05, 2012, 11:41 AM UTC

Apple is or at least under Jobs, was very clear about not adding function that would consequently disrupt form or usability. Many of the features listed as suggestions for the iOS are present in other OSs. It's these 'features' that motivated me to move back to the iPhone.

Here is an example: The current rumor is Apple will introduce a larger (~170 px taller) screen. With larger screens (or taller) when you are using one hand (which most seem to want to do), as you reach your thumb to the far side of the screen your thumb muscle makes contact with the touch surface, causing inadvertent input. One-handed operation with newer devices such as the GS2 are very difficult. Also the sheer size of some of these newer "handhelds" is a bit too big for my hand (which is average to large size) requiring me to use two hands. It's little details like this that the OP and iPhone competitors seem to miss. Does the screen need to be bigger, and at what cost? If the cost is usability or adding clutter to the UI, then it will likely not make it in to the iPhone 5.

Mobile devices are good for somethings but are not meant to replace full computers.