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Subject:Re: To Dialog or Not To Dialog From:Beverly Parks <bparks -at- HUACHUCA-EMH2 -dot- ARMY -dot- MIL> Date:Wed, 3 Apr 1996 14:33:36 MST
Kris wrote:
>>"Dialog" is jargon. IMHO, a large percentage of computer users think of
>>"dialog" as an oral interaction between two people.
>>
>>I prefer "window."
Sue Gallagher <sgallagher -at- expersoft -dot- com> replied:
> But it's not a window. A window can have a menu and is resizeable.
> A dialog box can't/isn't. IMO, using the wrong terminology is a
> disservice to the user. You do not build on any prior knowledge
> the user may have and you do not reinforce the platform standards.
Sue, I agree with you. Calling every square box that pops up on
the screen a "window" serves only to teach the user the wrong
terminology. You may think you're helping the user by keeping
everything simple and generic, but when the user moves to a
different product--one that follows industry standard--he or she
will be faced with conflicting terms for the same objects.
I bet we all know a few people who still refer to the hard disk
as "memory." I know several, and some are computer
professionals {{shudder}}. It's a clear case of being taught
the incorrect term--probably for simplicity's sake--in the
beginning.
Beverly Parks -- bparks -at- huachuca-emh2 -dot- army -dot- mil
The opinions expressed are my own.
