> Users, noob or otherwise, should not need to RTFM just
to use the
menu! To
> suggest they do means the interface is failing.
>
No! The interface is not failing. The menu functions
perfectly well and
most users can determine how to accomplish things without
resorting to
the manual. What you are asking for is that shortcuts or
"power user"
features also be thrown in the beginning user's face. This
would have
the effect of complicating things for the beginning user and
would prove
of little benefit to the GIMP user who wishes to use the
software to its
fullest potential.
> Calling things "power-user" features because
they are obscure or smuggly
> saying RTFM when the interface is cryptic will not make
Gimp (or
anything
> else) easier to use.
"Power user" features are just that, they require
that the user be
willing to delve a little deeper to obtain the maximum
benefit. Things
such as permitting a user to define their own convolve or
transformation
matrix is a great thing; but it is doubtful that they could
ever be
presented "intuitively" to a casual user. If you
want your GIMP to be
optimized to your preferences, you are going to have to
learn how to
define your preferences to the program.
> This echos the Corrective Rotation discussion. Some
really good features
> where Gimp could shine are being hidden from the user
by poor interface
> design compounded by a reluctance to review some
decisions that may not
> have been the best choice.
Again, your solipsism of wishing to declare that any
interface that does
not satisfy *your* preferences is a "poor
interface" is misguided. The
fact that the 'Corrective Rotation' labelling has been
changed, and then
changed back again, represents the complete opposite of
"reluctance";
however, at some point you just have to accept that not
everyone shares
your preference and when the split is close to 50/50 the
best thing to
do is to move on to more important issues.
> If the user sees something he cant use or cant
understand he may be
> expected to search a specific chapter in the manual to
explain it. If a
> feature is not apparent he's not going to have any
reason to search.
And if the user can acceptably use the GIMP without being
aware of the
feature, there is nothing lost but his own productivity. If
the user
wishes to either expand his proficiency or improve his
workflow, then it
might be advisable that he spend some time R'ing TFM.
--------
"It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do
not care who gets the credit." -- Harry S. Truman
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