SOMMERS@RUTGERS.ARPA (01/05/84)
From: Liz <SOMMERS@RUTGERS.ARPA> They see a mouse not as a user-friendly, easy-to-[learn-to-]use pointing device, but rather as a gee-whiz techno-gadget that will scare users off. They see the good ol' finger as a more user-friendly pointing method that will \not/ scare the user off. I see their point but, personally, think they're way off base. No, I don't think they are off base. Having been a secretary, bookkeeper, pseudo-executive, and having hired and fired secretaries and clerical workers - I think the executives know what they are talking about - this time. The HP 150 is a lovely machine for lower level management and "pink collar" workers - the people who are taking over most of the data processing functions in the office, and the people who are word processing. There is a very heavy turnover in these workers - and it takes lots of time to train them. The mouse is just one more gadget to learn and forget...most people are capable of pointing to what they want to do on a screen. Besides the training issue - have you looked at your typist's desk recently? Where the hell is she going to put a mouse and pad? It is difficult usually to find space for things she has to have there. The HP is great- it doesn't take up much space when space is at a premium. My final point is that most really fast typists do not want to have to move their hands laterally - it slows them up in finding the home row. Moving up is usually ok - your hand seems to fall back easier. But then...I really dislike mice. liz// -------