C H A P T E R 1

Newton and Its Users

Stability

Personal digital assistants introduce a new level of complexity for many people. To cope with this complexity, people need some stable reference points. The Newton interface is designed to provide an environment that is understandable, familiar, and predictable. It defines a number of regular interface elements to foster a perception of stability, including view borders, view titles, folder tabs, standard buttons, and standard button locations. Each of these elements has a specific look and a regular, predictable behavior. In addition, the interface defines a clear, finite set of basic data objects—text, ink text, shapes, and sketches—and a clear, finite set of editing commands with which users can create and manipulate the objects. Your application can share and enhance the stability by using the regular interface elements and handling data objects in the customary manner.

Aesthetic Integrity

People primarily see software as a functional product, not a fashion product. This means you want them to notice what your product does, not how it looks. Don’t succumb to the temptation to load up with the latest interface fads; they’ll quickly become dated. Since people will spend a lot of time with your product, design it to be pleasant to look at for a long time. A spare, clean interface will stand up to repeated viewing much better than a highly decorative interface. For example, the built-in Setup application has lots of non-functional decorative elements to make a user’s first Newton experience a friendly one, but the built-in applications that people use daily have none of that decoration.

Make sure you follow the graphic language of the interface. Don’t invent new interface elements to replace existing ones, and don’t change the function of standard interface elements. If you change the look of standard interface elements, people will actually try to make up functional reasons for the differences. If you square off the corners of your buttons, use unique view borders, or use a different symbol to designate a pop-up, people will waste time trying to figure out what your custom elements do that the standard ones don’t. It won’t occur to people that you merely have your own notion of how the interface elements should look.

Observe Basic Human Interface Principles

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Apple 2 manual Stability, Aesthetic Integrity
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2 specifications

The Apple II is a defining product in the history of personal computing, first introduced in 1977 by Apple Computer, Inc. Designed by Steve Wozniak, the Apple II was one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products and played a significant role in bringing personal computers into homes and schools.

One of the Apple II's standout features was its color graphics capability. It was one of the first personal computers to provide color output, thanks to its built-in video interface. The initial model supported a resolution of 280x192 pixels with a palette of 6 colors, which allowed for vibrant visuals that set it apart from contemporaries like the monochrome Altair 8800.

The Apple II was notable for its open architecture. This design allowed users to expand the computer's capabilities easily through a series of expansion slots. Users could add floppy disk drives, additional memory, and various peripheral devices, making the system highly adaptable to individual needs. This encouraged a thriving ecosystem of third-party hardware and software, which contributed to its popularity.

Another significant feature was its use of the 6502 microprocessor. This 8-bit CPU was not only affordable but also powerful for its time, allowing the Apple II to run various applications efficiently. Along with a built-in keyboard and an innovative plastic case that housed its components, the design was user-friendly and appealing.

The Apple II also introduced the concept of “bootable software” through the use of floppy disks. The disk operating system (DOS) allowed users to store and run multiple programs without having to reload software manually, providing a level of convenience that had not been widely available before. Key software like VisiCalc, the first spreadsheet program, helped boost sales, showcasing the Apple II's utility in business and education environments.

The computer was also well-known for its early adoption of BASIC programming language. Apple provided an operating system that supported Applesoft BASIC, which enabled users, including students, to write their programs, further fostering a community of developers.

In summary, the Apple II's color graphics, open architecture, powerful 6502 processor, innovative use of floppy disks, and support for BASIC programming made it a revolutionary product in its time. Its legacy laid the groundwork for future personal computers and established Apple as a leader in the burgeoning tech industry. The Apple II remains an iconic symbol of the early personal computing era, reflecting a generation's transition into a digitally connected world.
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