Thread Subject: Re: Web Gaps - keyboard operation

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From: Jim Tobias
Date: Tue, Jan 16 2007 5:11 PM

The part I don't get is the "time-dependent" part. Let me explain with
an example. In a typical graphic program, drawing a line with a spraycan
tool, the longer you spend going from one point to another, the denser your
line, so that is clearly time-dependent. But it needn't be: you could be
allowed to specify the beginning and end points and the density by keyboard.

The distinction is between classic "draw" and "paint": the former is more
purely
geometrical and thus easier to describe in words, while the latter is
free-form
and harder to describe in words, because the "line" is not straight -- it
would
have to be explained in terms of perhaps dozens of short line segments at
slight
angles to each other. (Try converting a "painting" to a "drawing" and you
will
see one object become a hundred!)

But I don't see the time element coming into it.


Jim Tobias
Inclusive Technologies
+1.732.441.0831 v/tty
+1.908.907.2387 mobile
skype jimtobias

-----Original Message-----
From: Gregg Vanderheiden [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ]
Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2007 10:39 PM
To: 'TEITAC Web/Software Subcommittee'
Subject: Re: [teitac-websoftware] Web Gaps - keyboard operation

Hmmmm. It does sound a little arcane. However it is in fact the real
problem. We can create keyboard access except when the input required is
analog in nature (not a discreet item) and has a time dependent aspect to it
(so you can't just type in numbers to specify an analog number).

Finger painting is one example. Flying a helicopter in real time is
another.

CAD is not.

The problem with the existing text is that the problem isn't whether you can
describe the task or output in text. It is whether the action actually
requires input that cannot be done from a keyboard. I have had people
think we were talking about voice control or natural language control by
typing into the keyboard. That was really confusing to them. I also have
people saying that with enough words you can describe anything. And any
limit on words raises the question of why that number of words. So I don't
think the current wording does either.


Maybe we go with the new words and a good description to explain?


Gregg
-- ------------------------------
Gregg C Vanderheiden Ph.D.



> -----Original Message-----
> From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of
> Barrett, Don
> Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2007 2:48 PM
> To: TEITAC Web/Software Subcommittee
> Subject: Re: [teitac-websoftware] Web Gaps - keyboard operation
>
> Sorry, but I am not sure "time-dependent analogue input"
> really gets at the issue. Actually, I think it avoids the issue by
> using an intimidating arcane phrase which no developer I have ever
> worked with will understand. And when they ask me what it means, I
> will have to use phrases which should have been in the standard in the
> first place. It confuses rather than clarifies.
>
> I missed the call, but what's wrong with the standard as it exists
> now.
>

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