[news.eclipse.tools] Perspectives and system modality

[stephan@xxxxxxxx (Stephan Eggermont)]

Perspectives and system modality

[A reaction on bug 2609]

The introduction of perspectives in Eclipse has consequences for the 
amount of modality that can be allowed. A basic user-interface principle
for the mouse-and-windows style used by almost all current platforms
is user control. That means that the system can only provide minimal
ordering on the user initiated actions. In Eclipse, that means that 
actions in a certain perspective should not influence the controlling
workspace and other perspectives.  The user chooses which task
she wants to continue with, not the system.

A problematic example can be seen in the behaviour of the 
new project wizard. A first-time user of Eclipse is likely to be reading
the help (a different perspective). Once the wizard is started, the 
user can no longer switch perspective and scroll the help to see 
what to do next. This is a very serious usability problem, as  it
makes it unneccessary difficult for potential users to learn to use
Eclipse.

The solution for this is the removal of system modality from Eclipse.
From a usability point of view there are no situations where it is
needed. Perspective modality may be needed, and in order to avoid 
confusing the user should be made visible (no hidden modes),
in both the perspective short cut and the windows involved.

Stephan Eggermont
Sensus, systems that make sense