-----Original Message----- From: eas lab [mailto:lab.eas@gmail.com] Sent: Saturday, 28 December 2013 9:43 AM To: ETH Oberon and related systems Subject: Re: [Oberon] Re (2): Project Oberon: New Edition
Focus on the human psychology, not the computer hardware. Although we all differ, some basic evolved human attributes are: short-term memory limited to ca. 3 items; recognision is mot limited by memory. This automatically leads to the menu-concept, which TUI has.
I think you'll find that the short-term memory item number is closer to 7-8 items. 8-digit telephone numbers are pushing the limit. Using words can be a way of allowing you to remember more data. As a quick demo how long does it take you to memorise the phone number: 628-483-623766 Now how much easier is it to remember: NATIVE OBERON - where each letter is mapped to a number via your telephone keypad. Memory tricksters take this concept even further e.g. by using the brain's word-association abilities to map a story onto the sequence of cards in a deck of cards. A book that I have recommended previously for those interested in the design of man-machine interfaces was written by Alan Cooper (the "Father of Visual Basic"). It is titled "The Inmates are Running the Asylum - Why High-Tech Products Drive Us Crazy and How to Restore the Sanity" ISBN 0-672-31649-8 Sams Publishing. I also recommend "The Zen of Palm - Designing products for Palm OS". I can no longer find its original location but a Google search will find copies for you, Regards, Chris Chris Burrows CFB Software http://www.astrobe.com