From: pvonk@scott.skidmore.edu (Pierre VonKaenel)
Subject: Re: Is WPS really better??
Organization: Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs NY, 12866
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 13:31:47 GMT

In article <BAB.92Sep30072426@se39.wg2.waii.com> bab@se39.wg2.waii.com (Brian Button) writes:
>In article <1992Sep29.193827.10087@scott.skidmore.edu> pvonk@scott.skidmore.edu (Pierre VonKaenel) writes:
>
>   As for a program launcher: I use Windows to point to the program I
>   want to run, double click.  In OS/2 I have icons in open folders - I
>   double click on the appropriate icon to start a program.  What's the
>   difference?
>
>The main difference here is that you're not using WPS to its fullest.
>The advantage is that WPS is Object-Oriented. You don't open a
>program, like a word processor for instance, and then load a file into
>it. You use a template to create a data file specific to a certain
>spreadsheet or form, double click on this new object, and that data
>object starts the appropriate program for it. When that program comes
>up, the data file is loaded into it and is ready to go.
>

True... but I do that with Windows also.  I have icons that represent
often used files (speadsheet, say) and when I click on them, Quatro
comes up with that data file.

I tried doing what you suggest in OS/2, but here's the problem (maybe
you netters have a tip to overcome this..) : I'm in a word processor
(however, it's not an OS/2 program).  I create a new document and save
it in some directory.  When I return to the WPS, I have to create an
icon for it, connect it to the right app, etc.  What a pain!  Perhaps
an OS/2 app that knows about the WPS will create the icon for me -
Okay that would be fine, no complaints.  But currently, it's not a
smooth process.

Problem #2:  this is something I've encountered in Windows and other
OSs that try to be object oriented - I have data files that are
"connected" to several apps.  I write a C++ program in my Brief
editor.  Later I use in BC++.  Then back to Brief.  I've had some data
files that are used in three different apps.  In WPS, I can only
attach it to one app.  To use it in a different context, I'd have to
click on the setting for that icon, change the related app name and
start over.  Or, use two or more icons for the same file, but have
each associated with a different app?  I think not.

The description above seems to parallel an earlier question of mine
(in the DOS apps news group).  In a spreadsheet, is it better to mark
a block and then issue the del or move or whatever command from a pull
down menu?  Or to issue the command and then mark the block.  (No
difference in effort, but what about the human intuitive aspect?)  The
same goes here...  Do you issue the verb first (choose the app to use)
and then pick the file (the noun), or the other way around?  True, if
only one app is associated with the noun, no problem.  The noun is all
you need.  But what about my point above, several apps for each data
file?

>   Speaking of dragging..... I hate dragging for copying/moving/deleting.
>   It takes more energy to keep a finger down on a mouse button while
>   dragging the mouse than it is to point to a file name, and then point
>   to a menu item (or two if a submenu comes up). This is one of the
>   reasons I never liked the Mac interface - keeping the button down
>   while picking a menu item.  I prefer clicking on the item.
>
>You can operate on files like this in OS/2. Click on the right mouse
>button, and use the pop-up menu to move, copy, delete, etc.

You're right on this, I forgot.  But I'm curious.... do most people
really prefer to drag an icon around vs. pointing to a verb command on
a menu.  Maybe it's my advancing years, but it's annoying for me to
keep my finger down on a button while I move the mouse around.  (I
guess it must be my age.)


-- 
Pierre von Kaenel	| Skidmore College	     | pvonk@skidmore.edu
Math & CS Dept.		| Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 | (518)584-5000 Ext 2391

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