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When I am converting Windows users or introducing new users to the
computer for the first time, there are a number of conceptual hurdles
that it takes repeated instruction to get across. These include
problems with getting a disk out of the computer, distinguishing
between the Finder and the dialogs in Open and Save windows, and
understanding the role of the Chooser and Apple menu.
What follows are my carefully considered proposals Apple could use
to simplify the transition for Windows-only users, make the learning
curve for beginners still easier, and create a computer so new and
revolutionary that even the iMac revolution would fade to a really low
gamma factor by comparison.
Some of these items refer to OS 9 as opposed to OS X. All
I know of X is what I read in the (e)papers; I'm not about to risk my
source of livelihood on a beta anything. So you'll excuse me, I hope,
if some of the references do not refer to the Public Beta. (As a matter
of fact, I traditionally run one OS behind the current version for the
sake of stability. Right now I'm using OS 8.6 and might consider a
switch to 9 once OS X goes golden master...)
10.
Put a smart eject button on every drive. It is
true that the Mac handles disks more intelligently than any Windows
machine, because the Mac knows where the disk is at all times. You
never get ABORT/RETRY/FAIL messages on a Mac.
Yet for a beginner, dragging a disk icon and placing it
in the Trash invariably gives pause. Am I deleting the contents of the
disk?
While OS 8.6 and 9 offer a true Disk Eject menu item, it
still is not invoked by manipulating the disk icon itself. Why not make
the disk (CD, DVD, or 3rd party floppy) actually respond to the
disk eject button by issuing a command to the Finder to Eject? After
all, hitting the power key initiates a Shut Down or Restart. If you
then assumed that the user wanted to save and close any open files, and
replace the dialog box that says "The disk cannot be put away because
items are in use" with "Do you wish to close all the items in use and
eject the disk?," then the Mac retains its advantage in disk handling
while still being responsive to the person who wants to push a button
to get the disk or CD out of the drive.
9.
Put an expansion bay in the side of the iMac that
is compatible with PowerBook expansion bay components. You want a
floppy in the machine? Pop the little door open and slide in a
PowerBook floppy drive. You want to transfer your iMovie? Remove the
FireWire drive and pop it in the iMac bay.
This is such a powerful and obvious idea, I would say it
would be worth redesigning the PowerBook expansion bay devices just to
make them integrate into the iMac's slot without disturbing the iMac's
form factor. It seems to me it solves several problems simultaneously,
especially the missing floppy problem. And it gives iMac owners an
excuse to purchase a PowerBook! It also gives the PowerBook a
distinguishing and valuable characteristic differentiating it from the
iBook. Some third party vendors ought to make a stand-alone USB
expansion bay holder just to prove the concept.
8.
Make the Open and Save dialog boxes equivalent to
the Finder. OS 9's new Navigation tools in the Open and Save dialog
boxes at least look like a list view when in use, so you don't have to
work quite so hard as you used to do to explain the difference between
saving in an open and save dialog box vs. just moving a file within the
Finder. And I'm sure the new multi-view window system in OS X will have
its proponents as well (even though its a rehash of the old Atari ST
file handling system).
However, for a new user it is a conceptual leap to see
files organized by icons in one setting and by names in another when
talking about the same file. The intelligent thing to do when opening
or saving a file is to cause the entire Finder screen to become the
file selector so you can point to a folder or file just like you always
do when in the Finder! Perhaps the border could change to allow the
user to know a file save or open is in progress. This should be done in
OS X right now.
7.
Run a short iMovie competition where actual users'
iMovies are the advertisements you put on television. 'Nuff said.
6.
Open iTools to older operating systems. Help us
help you. We have to constantly improvise ways to make our
non-networked classrooms able to transfer files between old and new
platforms. We don't throw out those old computers, Steve, we just
shuffle 'em around.
5.
Make OS 8.6 and below open source. If you don't
want it anymore, don't hog it.
4.
Make your education discounts more significant.
Right now, they're a joke. Most models can be had cheaper from
large-scale vendors. That's why education sales are
slipping...not because you shuffled the people around during the
summer. Anyone making a large-scale bid wants, and deserves, some
consideration.
3.
Make Microsoft Office a build to order option. If
the machine is compatible out of the box, you'd soothe a lot of nerves.
But if you don't like this option, do #2.
2.
Make AppleWorks work with everything. It should
open and save in as many formats as you can license, even if it
increases the cost of the package $30-50 dollars. Lack of compatibility
with kids bringing their work from home is my #1 problem as a teacher.
Fortunately, I have Maclink Plus, but not everyone has it.
And if you can pull it off for say, a year while the PC peeps catch
up, this is the PC-killer:
1.
Redesign the iMac with a touch-sensitive LCD screen and lose the
mouse. If one button is better than two, and no buttons better than
one, then no mouse is even better. The technology exists. People who
see it will die to have it. If it works right, no one will ever use a
mouse again. It will be radical, it will be controversial, and it is
quintessentially Apple. It certainly would be ... dare I say...
Different.
Make these changes, Steve, and believe me...you will stand the
computing world on its ear. Again.
Jeff Adkins is a science teacher who isn't afraid to state his preferences in computing platforms. In his classroom he has everything from a beige All-in-One to a a G4 XServe, and they all work together nicely. He calls himself the "poster child for technology integration" in the classroom. He was the 2006 Outstanding Educator of the Year for the California Computer Using Educators (CUE) organization. He also maintains a site for astronomy teachers at www.AstronomyTeacher.com.
Mac of the Day: PowerBook 170, Oct. 1991 - At 25 MHz, the PB 170 was at the top of the original PowerBook line.
List of the Day: The iPhone List Low End Mac's forum for discussing and supporting Apple's iPhone.
August 30 in LEM history: 99: The truth about USB speed - 00: Could Eazel kill the Mac? - Mac OS 8.1 on a IIci and LC III - 01: Beyond MHz and GHz - Getting a handle on email - Thanks for the IBM PC, Dad - Apple's anniversaries - 02: Mac OS X v10.2 - iBook video out - 04: Things that freak out my students - 06: Nvu and SeaMonkey can't replace Home Page - 07: DVD-RAM support
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