Subject: Re[2]: [linux-audio-dev] read it and drool
From: Rick Burnett (destinytech_AT_spacey.net)
Date: Mon Dec 04 2000 - 07:21:38 EET
Sliders are NOT always 1:1, as with the previous discussion of a
slider that controls a 16-bit or 24-bit value, I don't have 65K pixels
on my monitor (though it would be nice).
Now what would be a REAL nice control would be a knob/slider. When
you click on the knob a slider comes up then you adjust. Paint Shop
Pro for Windows has a similar control for line widths. Then you could
visually see the value on a knob ( or text for that matter ) but when
you click to adjust then a slider comes up.
Just ideas.
Rick
Sunday, December 03, 2000, you wrote:
DH> On Sun, 3 Dec 2000, Paul Barton-Davis wrote:
>> Dan Hollis writes:
>> >It seems to violate nearly every GUI rule there is. Knobs never belong on
>> >a GUI.
>> i couldn't find this rule at the isys site. even if i could, i reserve
>> to say "crapola!". i don't disagree that there are better visual
>> elements than knobs. mackie has a nice one, for example: a numeric
>> display that works much the way my knobs do (simple vertical motion to
>> adjust the value; step size determined by radial distance from the
>> center of the element; direct text entry possible as well). but to say
>> point blank that you should never use a knob - why not ban sliders
>> too, since they are essentially the same concept as a knob:
>> non-numeric visual feedback with mouse-motion adjustment for a value
>> of some kind ?
DH> Usability studies showed that knobs were the worst possible control for a
DH> GUI. They are simply too hard to control and too prone to error -- a very
DH> bad control for a MOUSE. Sliders are much better.
DH> If you have a physical knob control in the real world, then an onscreen
DH> knob would be fine. (Hmm... anyone up for making a USB knob controller? ;)
DH> Sliders are not knobs, and not anywhere close to one. A slider is
DH> controlled directly 1:1 position of the mouse pointer. You move the mouse
DH> pointer and the slider goes there.
DH> A knob with 1:1 position is too hard to control properly with a mouse,
DH> and one with virtual-linked control (that is, vertical to control
DH> position and horizontal to control scale of movement) violates intuitive
DH> design for GUI. That is, why should I move my mouse halfway across the
DH> screen to twist a tiny knob?
DH> Now try adjusting 10 knobs quickly in a row, vs 10 sliders.
DH> -Dan
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