iMAC's in QPs and Lounges

[JohnK]

I much prefer Command to CTRL, as the latter is much further apart from X, C, V.

But it is a big difference.

I use the keyboard a lot more than the mouse and I find CTL + X, C, V extremely easy to use.

I guess it is all depends on what you are used to using. Just makes it hard for people to adjust to an iMac if not using an iMac outside of a Qantas Lounge.

 

[serfty]

I'm also into [ctrl]-[shift]-[end]/[home] and even the [end] and [home] keys in their own right.

 

[jgm]

The mistake I keep making with Macs is the ubiquitous cut/copy/paste. The modifier is the Command key, not Control.

At least it is consistent. On windoze it depends on the application - I have applications that use Ctl & others that use Alt. Also, the Macs have a far wider range of applications where you can copy from one app & paste into something else.

 

[anat0l]

At least it is consistent. On windoze it depends on the application - I have applications that use Ctl & others that use Alt. Also, the Macs have a far wider range of applications where you can copy from one app & paste into something else.

Most applications allow Cut/Copy/Paste; if not Windows inter alia will take care of it. (Sometimes you don't get a context menu, but by using Ctrl+X/C/V you'll get the result you want).

I don't see why software designers should diverge from conventions, especially something like the shortcut keys for Cut/Copy/Paste. It's a clear violation of HCI principles and I'd like to think now that - unless you have a really, really, really good reason - you would have to be a complete imbecile to not use the default convention.

 

[Mal]

I don't know what it is with iMac's but I have trouble using them. Obviously I am not used to the desktop or browesr (and highly unlikely to get used to it anytime soon) but the keyboard layout also feels different (and very thin) and I seem to make the same sort of typing mistakes.

For a Windows user, I don't believe an Apple is intuitive at first try. However, Apple does lead the market in "User Friendliness" and "cool design", so getting used to an Apple shouldn't be too difficult given some time.

I think Qantas puts a clue card next to each Mac, so as long as that's correctly written then it shouldn't be too bad to use.

 

[simongr]

I have macs at home and actually use a mac keyboard in the office (with my work PC) as I find it nicer to type on.

 

[drewbles]

I have macs at home and actually use a mac keyboard in the office (with my work PC) as I find it nicer to type on.

I did the same when I used PC's at work. I find the apple keyboards tend to be much nicer to use when bashing away at one 8 hours or more a day.

 

[notzac]

I've finally been given a new PC at work and the Dell keyboard I have is very reminiscent of my Apple keyboard here at home.

 

[jgm]

I don't see why software designers should diverge from conventions, especially something like the shortcut keys for Cut/Copy/Paste.

The difference is that with windoze, it is up to the application code cutter to decide how to use shortcuts - with OSX, it is set int the OS. Basically it means that with a Mac, you learn the interface, with windoze you have to learn each application.

 

[anat0l]

The difference is that with windoze, it is up to the application code cutter to decide how to use shortcuts - with OSX, it is set int the OS. Basically it means that with a Mac, you learn the interface, with windoze you have to learn each application.

This is why HCI design principles are so important, and consistency/familiarity is one element of this. It's not that people are completely dumb (I hope! :-|) but you can't design software like you do 20 years ago where if you didn't know how to use it, you either learnt it by yourself or - to put it very nicely - just **** off.

Apple certainly do a much better job at keeping all of their software consistent and familiar.

Besides, I'd like to think that Cut/Copy/Paste functionality is now built into most of the common Windows interface widgets (e.g. text boxes, etc.), so the OS handles it unless the application code specifically overrides the calls.

One of my pet hates with the Mac OS interface is that the menu bar at the top of the screen changes from application to application.