From: LoveLearn <LoveLearn_at_iw.net>
Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2003 11:32:50 -0500

>From While Playing Screen, brief press ON switches to file browser.
>From While Playing Screen, sustained press ON displays Pitch Control.
>From While Playing Screen, brief press F1 switches to Controls Menu.

Control Menu's first listed choice is Sound Settings.
It seems to me that Pitch Control is simply another sound setting.
Minimizing REQUIRED "special case" key sequences is ideal.
Ideal control system designs minimize rules users MUST recall.
This guiding rule suggests that Pitch Control should be listed in the
Sound Settings menu with other sound setting options.
If Speed Control with constant pitch ever becomes enabled,
it should also be listed with other sound settings even if another
special case key sequence also allows accessing it faster.

Special case key sequence speedy short cuts should only duplicate
standard menu access control options rather than be REQUIRED control
paths.

When Word Star was popular about 20 years ago, lots of us maintained in
active memory lots of special case key sequences. They enabled faster
access to commonly used features. But finding and controlling all
features through standard menus should ALWAYS be available for low
frequency use functions, beginning users and "senior moments." The
simplest most intuitively arranged software control menus were often the
main characteristics distinguishing software buyers liked best from
competing products that REQUIRED recalling lots of special case key
strokes or being frustrated by non-intuitive menu structures. The most
important advantage early WordPerfect versions had over its competitors
was how easy, clear, intuitive controls allowed users to feel
comfortable and secure.
John LoveLearn
Received on 2003-09-30