The Windows 95 user interface: A case study in usability engineering (1996)

Post by CableNinja » Sun, Mar 01, 2026, 9:18 PM UTC

V99 wrote: post #246

throw_away_623 wrote: post #145

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The reason people talk about the mouse is that it's one of the worst ideas they ever had. At the time, I remember someone claimed that the reason was that they were afraid people could leave it plugged in for convenience. Apple thought that would lead to a worse experience because their mouse was designed to be used wirelessly. I think it was actually more related to aesthetic "icks" by the designers, because people…

This is not even close to the worst ideas Apple ever had, even if you're only talking about mice. The original USB mouse (for the first iMac) was round, so you couldn't orient it in your hand without looking at it constantly. And it came with a very short cord (because there was a port on the right side of the keyboard to plug it into). But then the laptops got updated with USB ports and they were only on the LEFT si…

Post by zzo38computer » Sun, Mar 01, 2026, 10:34 PM UTC

quietbritishjim wrote: post #144

zzo38computer wrote: post #118

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I have used both Windows 3.1 and Windows 95. Windows 95 does have some significant benefits (e.g. you can start Windows programs from the DOS prompt (I seem to remember that you cannot do this in Windows 3.1 and in Windows 95 you can, but I am not sure if I remember correctly), and the WIN+R shortcut, and some others), but also many problems (although some can be avoided by changing stuff in the registry; I had done…

You could change the option to hide file extensions in the explorer settings windows; no registry tweak was needed. Not wanting spaces in file names is certainly a bold opinion! I think you'll find yourself in a very small minority there.

Post by gerdesj » Sun, Mar 01, 2026, 11:22 PM UTC

alexdbird wrote: post #165

gerdesj wrote: post #55

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I recently had to get printing working for a family member on an Apple tablet. I'm not an Apple jockey so it took me a while to sort out and I've being using computers since 1980 and consulting since 1995. You tap an icon that looks like the outline of a rectangle with an arrow pointing up. Then you tap the name of the printer. Then you tap another rectangle with an up arrow and then tap the word "Print". I may have…

It's called the Action icon, a generalisation of its original Share meaning. It's used throughout the Apple ecosystem so knowing that's where actions live is not a big expectation. You've mangled the steps. You only press one Action icon in this sequence, then you select Print, then you need to select the printer and any other options, then you tap Print. Which of these steps do you think 'abstruse'? Are you suggesti…

Post by just6979 » Mon, Mar 02, 2026, 12:23 AM UTC

windowsrookie wrote: post #236

LtWorf wrote: post #174

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I had one from 2010 and the bright light wasn't even the main problem at night. The charger emitted an annoying high pitch sound so I'd have to unplug it. And the device turned itself on randomly at night, and the CD-ROM reader and fans would spin up and make noise. I've now used a macbook air for work and I noticed that even when in "standby" for a week my router had a DHCP lease for it. So they still turn on for no…

You can disable "Wake for Network Access" in the battery settings if you want. It's a convenience option that lets MacOS check for new iMessages and other updates while it's asleep. That way all your messages are loaded immediately when you wake the device.

Post by leoc » Mon, Mar 02, 2026, 3:20 AM UTC

just6979 wrote: post #260

leoc wrote: post #234

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> I think it was actually more related to aesthetic "icks" by the designers, because people would have disconnected the cable if it was in the way. A lot of people really will just anxiously leave the cable in the whole time if given the opportunity. I have a wired/wireless Logitech mouse and I confess that I hardly ever remove the cable. Between this, and the space and connector issues of adding a "normal" cable con…

Nobody leaves the cables attached. Except wanna be pro gamers who think a couple milliseconds will help them more than practice to "git gud". Every mouse I have is wireless, and I almost never use them plugged in, except for the one on the server that get used so rarely it's self-discharged should probably be wired but I simply don't have any wired ones left. Just plug them in overnight every once in a while, golden.