xerox Alto Interaction Nomenclature Apr76 free download

File name Alto_Interaction_Nomenclature_Apr76.pdf

XEROX PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER Computer Sciences Laboratory April 16, 1976 To: Alto Users From: Bob Sproull Subject: Alto interaction nomenclature Filed on: Nomenclature.Bravo As more and more Alto systems intended for novice users become available, it is increasingly important to use uniform and unambiguous terminology for describing interactions witl~' the programs. If each manual uses different terms for describing mouse and keyboard interaction, users will be hopelessly confused. This memo proposes conventional terminology, using Butler's novice Bravo guide as pattern. It is fluid, and will be amended from time to time. Terms with special meaning or of preferred usage are italicized. Manuals should usually contain a brief sunlmary of whatever portions of this terminology are actually used in the document. (This makes documents self-contained, and seems preferable to a "how to use the Alto devices" document.) Someone could do the world a service by wri ting standard boilerplate describing Alto interactions that could be tailored by individual authors and included in their manuals. N omencla ture The Alto has a display or screen. Often the screen is divided into windows. Menu windows are common. A cursor is usually present on the screen. The heyboard (one word) has 61 heys. The keyset has 5 keys (NOT buttons). The mouse has 3 buttons (the plural of mouse is mice). Key naming. Keys are named either (1) by the character that should be typed in (e.g. A or +- or :::) provided that the character is visible on the label on the key top; or (2) by the label that appears on the key top (e.g., RETURN or [3S or CTRL; the spelling should match the lettering on the key top). If the SHI FT key at the left of the keyboard needs to be distinguished from the other shift key, use LEFT-S~H FT. Unlabeled keys have the following conventional names space bar: SPACE keyset keys: KEYSETl KEYSET2 KEYSET3 KEYSET4 KEYSET5; left to right keyboard spares: TOP-BLANK MIDDLE-BLANK BOTTOt~-BLANK If a program uses unlabeled keys, mnemonic names can be established and explained (preferrably with pic tures). Key name typography: There are several acceptable ways to refer to keys that have more than one character in their labels (in order of decreasing preference): Spell the name in small caps (long strings of large caps are not usual In the printing business): "Strike the RETURrJ key when the command is finished." RETURN Spell the name In small caps, and superscript it: "Type COpy " Surround the name with brackets -- : "Type COPY(return)."