[openbeos] Re: Calculator

  • From: Waldemar Kornewald <wkornew@xxxxxxx>
  • To: openbeos@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Mon, 05 Jun 2006 23:28:51 +0200

DarkWyrm wrote:

There's something to be said about metaphors, like having all the buttons in a way that resembles a real-world calculator. Most people will expect a calculator that looks and acts like one that you're used to. A programmer would feel very comfortable with just a text box and an 'Evaluate' button, but my mother-in-law wouldn't have a clue. This should be an app with a zero learning curve for anyone remotely familiar with a calculator. The buttons really do need to stay. Having a choice of modes, like Stephan mentioned, could be a workable compromise.

I see your point, but has anybode ever tried to implement the calculator the way
I suggested? I mean, it's not that I say these things because it's fun for me. I
"observed" friends with almost no computer experience (and some with normal
experience) using the WinXP calculator with the mouse at first (clicking those
digits...) and quickly getting *angry* because that's too ineffective. They
*always* switched to the keyboard. Those digit buttons cry "click me!", but
that won't make you happy. :)
I think that there is nothing lost if we remove those buttons. The interface
will look a lot cleaner and the user will quickly grasp that he should use the
numbers on his keyboard (and be happy ;).


Bye,
Waldemar



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