Subject: Re: [linux-audio-dev] Knobs / widget design
From: Tim Hockin (thockin_AT_hockin.org)
Date: Thu Jun 10 2004 - 04:03:45 EEST
On Wed, Jun 09, 2004 at 08:39:36PM -0400, Dave Robillard wrote:
> > How about velocity sensitive knobs like OhmForce plugs use. Uggh.
> I think radial adjustment is the clearest, most obvious way for a knob
> to move.. it is a knob after all. A newbie sitting down at the machine
> isn't going to try to drag it vertically, they're going to try to "turn"
Actually, I think vertical is most obvious, based on my watching people.
Radial is confusing to people. Popping up a little vertical meter also
helps indicate that the control moves up and down.
> Of course, this is leaving out linear coarse adjustment, but can we
> really come up with a way of having all of them? Yet another hotkey :/
A global option is the only way to make everyone happy.
> I really do think radial should be the left-button default though, it's
> just what a knob visually suggest it should do. If linear should be the
> default, the widget itself should be a fader IMHO. Think of the poor
> newbs! :)
Watch the poor newbs! I'd accept the results of a real usability test.
Get 25 people who have no music software experience or very little, and
give them a set of tasks with two UIs. Ask for results, and watch the
confusion. I'd live with it (though I'll hack in linear control on my own
box, if I lose the bet :)
Tim
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