info-mac@uw-beaver (info-mac) (09/01/84)
From: Richard Furuta <Furuta@washington.arpa> An instructive exercise for anyone who finds MacPaint's user interface attractive would be to take a look at the color paint program for the IBM PC Jr. "Why it looks just like MacPaint," you'll find yourself commenting as you first look at it. However, after playing with it for a few minutes, you'll realize that it really doesn't feel that good. (Admittedly, I only played with it for a few minutes so maybe it gets better once you get used to it.) Using this system proves, once again, how much effect seemingly small things can have on a user interface (i.e., the PC Jr.'s cursor tracks the mouse sluggishly; the assignment of uses for the buttons on the mouse, a two button one on the PC Jr., seems awkward; the way certain parts of the picture disappear when you move into the menu area makes a difference; the lack of positive visual feedback when a button is selected is noticable). --Rick -------