A skin that doesn't alter the UI otherwise is just eye-candy, and as far as I'm concerned, doesn't alter usability one way or another in any appreciable way.
Contrast levels between interface elements greatly affect saccade efficiency among many other things.
While we'll never come close to a consensus on whether metal or aqua is 'better', each has discernable effects on usability.
As a tiny delta of usability, sure. But changing the color of a window border is a tiny, one might almost say *negligible* effect when compared to actually changing UI elements and workflow.
As a tiny delta of usability, sure. But changing the color of a window border is a tiny, one might almost say *negligible* effect when compared to actually changing UI elements and workflow.
Yes, there's an effect. A tiny one.
It's something Apple definitely has taken into account, though. The MacOS historically has tried to be cheerful and relaxing, which is where all the whites and pastels and rounded corners come from. And, of course, the Mac 128K was the first computer to feature textured beige on the case, in order to appear more organic.
Agreed. I'm just stating that in comparison to other UI changes that directly target usability and interaction, the effect is somewhere close to noise.
Yes, it matters.
No, it doesn't matter *much* for the purposes of redesigning an entire UI for an app to focus on new functionality or mode of thinking. (ie, taking Mail from 'I file things in folders' to 'smart folders file things themselves'.) In the midst of a large jump like that, the metal or Aqua debate becomes 'which one will put the user in the mindset that we want, the fastest?'. Probably metal, since that's what they've been training us all on. :}
It's something Apple definitely has taken into account, though. The MacOS historically has tried to be cheerful and relaxing, which is where all the whites and pastels and rounded corners come from. And, of course, the Mac 128K was the first computer to feature textured beige on the case, in order to appear more organic.
It's something Apple definitely has taken into account, though. The MacOS historically has tried to be cheerful and relaxing, which is where all the whites and pastels and rounded corners come from. And, of course, the Mac 128K was the first computer to feature textured beige on the case, in order to appear more organic.
This is what I was getting at but I'm also beginning to think that Kickaha and I are somewhat in agreement.
We're definitely nitpicking here in comparison to other significant UI decisions... like that damned drawer.
The reason for this attention to detail is that the details are what has made the Mac platform what it is. Sure, window shadows don't really have a discernable effect... but at the same time it provides a subconscious crutch, allowing users to focus more on their work.
Rounded corners, knurling, widget spacing, lack of true themes, all tiny details that add up to a significant difference.
One of the tiniest ones I can remember: the interface sounds for OS9 menu interaction were horizontally localized to the widget's location.
Comments
Originally posted by Kickaha
A skin that doesn't alter the UI otherwise is just eye-candy, and as far as I'm concerned, doesn't alter usability one way or another in any appreciable way.
my thoughts exactly.
Originally posted by dfiler
Contrast levels between interface elements greatly affect saccade efficiency among many other things.
While we'll never come close to a consensus on whether metal or aqua is 'better', each has discernable effects on usability.
As a tiny delta of usability, sure. But changing the color of a window border is a tiny, one might almost say *negligible* effect when compared to actually changing UI elements and workflow.
Yes, there's an effect. A tiny one.
Originally posted by Kickaha
As a tiny delta of usability, sure. But changing the color of a window border is a tiny, one might almost say *negligible* effect when compared to actually changing UI elements and workflow.
Yes, there's an effect. A tiny one.
It's something Apple definitely has taken into account, though. The MacOS historically has tried to be cheerful and relaxing, which is where all the whites and pastels and rounded corners come from. And, of course, the Mac 128K was the first computer to feature textured beige on the case, in order to appear more organic.
Yes, it matters.
No, it doesn't matter *much* for the purposes of redesigning an entire UI for an app to focus on new functionality or mode of thinking. (ie, taking Mail from 'I file things in folders' to 'smart folders file things themselves'.) In the midst of a large jump like that, the metal or Aqua debate becomes 'which one will put the user in the mindset that we want, the fastest?'. Probably metal, since that's what they've been training us all on. :}
Originally posted by Amorph
It's something Apple definitely has taken into account, though. The MacOS historically has tried to be cheerful and relaxing, which is where all the whites and pastels and rounded corners come from. And, of course, the Mac 128K was the first computer to feature textured beige on the case, in order to appear more organic.
*cough* Apple ][ *cough*
Originally posted by Amorph
It's something Apple definitely has taken into account, though. The MacOS historically has tried to be cheerful and relaxing, which is where all the whites and pastels and rounded corners come from. And, of course, the Mac 128K was the first computer to feature textured beige on the case, in order to appear more organic.
This is what I was getting at but I'm also beginning to think that Kickaha and I are somewhat in agreement.
We're definitely nitpicking here in comparison to other significant UI decisions... like that damned drawer.
The reason for this attention to detail is that the details are what has made the Mac platform what it is. Sure, window shadows don't really have a discernable effect... but at the same time it provides a subconscious crutch, allowing users to focus more on their work.
Rounded corners, knurling, widget spacing, lack of true themes, all tiny details that add up to a significant difference.
One of the tiniest ones I can remember: the interface sounds for OS9 menu interaction were horizontally localized to the widget's location.