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Do people really want to look at multiple windows at once?

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Re: Do people really want to look at multiple windows at once?

#21

Post by keithpeter »

Nursie wrote: post #15

I have 9 things open at the moment. I'm actively using about 7 of these (mail client, eclipse, software loader for embedded device, COM port monitor, device tech reference, source tree in explorer window, firefox for HN...). These are spread across two screens, mostly active working programs to the left and reference material to the right, though not all full screen. I really don't care what the average user wants, i…

"I really don't care what the average user wants, if the system doesn't support my usage pattern then I'm not going to use it."

We've had cheap client hardware up to now and for a few years more because the standard UI will support more complex needs. I think that as the bulk of 'casual' computer use moves to smaller portable devices, and as UIs suited to these 'casual' tasks are simplified, we might find ourselves paying extra for more capable devices.

Sad admission: I found myself using my phone to check a definition the other day while typing a complex paragraph in the wordprocessor on a laptop. It just happened.

Re: Do people really want to look at multiple windows at once?

#25

Post by rartichoke »

Kiro wrote: post #17

"For example, a web developer will be looking at 2 windows all the time - a text editor and a browser." I'm a web developer and I never do this. Why would I? One window is always sufficient for me.

That's because you likely haven't optimized your development experience.

With both open at once and the ability to auto-reload you see instant feedback by just moving your eyes a foot or 2 over (assuming dual monitors here) instead of having to alt-tab cycle into the correct window or move your hands and use the mouse.

I usually have a few things in view while developing and it's just annoying (read: poor user experience) if I have to fumble around switching between full sized windows.

Why would I need a full screen terminal. It's a million times more productive to use something like tmux and have 3 or 4 terminals open which are effectively multiple windows.

Re: Do people really want to look at multiple windows at once?

#26

Post by maqr »

RyanMcGreal wrote: post #20

I've got three monitors - two at 1280x1024 and one at 1366x768 - running on my workstation and there are times I wish they were bigger or I had a fourth. The idea of only being able to look at one application at a time - and of not having a dead-easy and intuitive way to switch between them - seems like an utterly asinine way to screw up a productive workflow for the mere sake of fashion.

I do pretty much the opposite of you. I only ever use one monitor, but have the highest resolution display I can get. I'm that guy with the new 15" MBP set to 2880x1800. The way I look at it, my eyes can only be on one screen at a time, and my fingers can juggle around the windows faster than I could physically focus on another monitor.

Re: Do people really want to look at multiple windows at once?

#27

Post by nicholassmith »

maqr wrote: post #26
RyanMcGreal wrote: post #20

I've got three monitors - two at 1280x1024 and one at 1366x768 - running on my workstation and there are times I wish they were bigger or I had a fourth. The idea of only being able to look at one application at a time - and of not having a dead-easy and intuitive way to switch between them - seems like an utterly asinine way to screw up a productive workflow for the mere sake of fashion.

I do pretty much the opposite of you. I only ever use one monitor, but have the highest resolution display I can get. I'm that guy with the new 15" MBP set to 2880x1800. The way I look at it, my eyes can only be on one screen at a time, and my fingers can juggle around the windows faster than I could physically focus on another monitor.

Same, I have one bigish monitor (but not too big) and plug my laptop into that, which I then throw all the stuff I'm not interested in (Spotify, IM, IRC etc) on so I can check it if I need it, then one big ol' monitor for what I'm interested in. I've done double and triple monitors and it kills my productivity and gives me neck ache.

Re: Do people really want to look at multiple windows at once?

#28

Post by RyanMcGreal »

maqr wrote: post #26
RyanMcGreal wrote: post #20

I've got three monitors - two at 1280x1024 and one at 1366x768 - running on my workstation and there are times I wish they were bigger or I had a fourth. The idea of only being able to look at one application at a time - and of not having a dead-easy and intuitive way to switch between them - seems like an utterly asinine way to screw up a productive workflow for the mere sake of fashion.

I do pretty much the opposite of you. I only ever use one monitor, but have the highest resolution display I can get. I'm that guy with the new 15" MBP set to 2880x1800. The way I look at it, my eyes can only be on one screen at a time, and my fingers can juggle around the windows faster than I could physically focus on another monitor.

Heh. As I get older, the inconvenience of having to move my head around compares ever more favourably with the inconvenience of having to struggle to see what I'm looking at. :)

Re: Do people really want to look at multiple windows at once?

#29

Post by nicholassmith »

I love multiple windows sometimes. Computer usage doesn't have to be a choice of this or that, they're clever enough to be both. I use multiple desktop spaces, one might have a web browser and terminal window, the next will usually be a full screen editor if I'm on my Air with no monitor, otherwise it's a mostly full screen editor with a second terminal window. Pick whichever works for your productivity.

Re: Do people really want to look at multiple windows at once?

#30

Post by dimitar »

I think going back historically, overlapping windows appeared on PCs around the same time as VGA (more powerfull platforms had them earlier). The early apps didn't have so many features (and menus) and often had to work together often so it made sense to have them side by side and not to bother closing them to open them again in a few seconds.

Now, it depends on the screen (resolution). Isn't it pointless to maximize everything on a say 23" 1920x1080? I don't. on the side of my browser I often have chat, terminal, even spreadsheet windows. They even overlap sometimes, which I don't mind because its convenient for switching. However, on a 1280x800, I maximise my browser, IDE, etc.

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