Bob-
Thaks for the advice. Certainly if its an all-or-none thing with the scroll
buttons, then I won't do it. BUT,I did say it would be an OPTION, so users
could easily turn it off if they felt that it was hit too easily. I'm just
trying to add a neat feature for users here...and the idea came FROM a
user; I can't even take credit for it ;)
In fact, most of the response about the Hack has been great, with many
people saying that Palm should have done it. I kindof agree... I think that
analog inputs are a very important part of a handlheld computer, esp. for
the users that Palm targets. You heard Guy K at Devcon. People are ANALOG.
People intuitively know how to press buttons in our society. And they like
doing it. Much more so than clicking on a few icons to get the same thing
done. Look at all of the PC's out now with buttons for INTERNET, EMAIL,
etc. The PC makers are touting this 'innovation' as how brilliant they are.
How silly is that? Sure it's stupid, but at the same time, it's EASY and
INTUITIVE to get mail by pressing a PHYSICAL button. So improving the way
the button acts to create a better user experience. Personally, I think
there should be MORE buttons on the Palm (not TOO many, though), and even a
scroll wheel on the Palm. It would be great!
Anyway, I hope this essay on buttons prompts whoever has the details for me
to try this to cough 'em up ;)
Thanks,
Alan
>At 2:54 PM -0700 4/19/99, Alan Pinstein wrote:
>>couple have suggested that I add an option to allow the contrast button to
>>TURN ON the unit as well, like the other Hardware keys. I dug around the
>>sources and headers a bit, but don't yet see how to do this. I figured
>>there is a routine somewhere that handles interrupts that and that I can
>>add that button to a global list of buttons that should turn the unit on.
>
>Some keys are set to not generate interrupts when the unit is asleep, and
>which ones have to do with how the keys are mapped into the hardware. I
>don't know details, but enabling this may also enable the scroll keys to
>power on the unit as a side-effect, which you definitely do NOT want.
>
>Also keep in mind that the placement of the contrast key make is relatively
>easy to hit even when it's in a case. So if was able to turn on the
>device, you'd probably end up turning it on accidently in your pocket,
>briefcase, or purse.
>
>Of course, since it times out relatively quickly, most of your users
>wouldn't even notice anything... except that their batteries would appear
>to go dead a lot faster.
>
>Overall, I think the user experience would be better if this key did not
>power on the device.
>
> --Bob
