[sdiy] user interfaces, was Radio Shack catalogs

[cheater cheater]

Hi Paul,
when I use a synth which I know well I mostly don't use my eyes. I was
thinking a couple months back about UI design and I think it's an
important thing for synths to be usable by people with impaired
vision, I think it's not only important to make equal opportunities
but it's also a mark in quality of design.

I also noticed someone mentioned you couldn't use a modular with
impaired vision. Since I've got good eyes I don't know how exactly
that translates but as a mathematician I can easily imagine fairly
complex 2D and 3D geometry and remember it for hours while working on
some calculations in my mind and make fairly precise measurements - I
would imagine a vision-impaired persion would very much be capable of
doing the same given that they have to imagine distances and 3D maps
everywhere they go. I have a pretty big mess on my desk, there's
probably more than 200 small things randomly distributed on it, but I
can usually reach out my hand and find exactly what I'm looking for...
so it's not a big feat to remember a few patchcords, I think. So I'm
thinking with a little training and practice a vision impaired user
could become very proficient.

It's easy to see if you can use your synth without vision, just turn
off the lights and tie your eyes. I guarantee interesting auditory
experiences.

Cheers,
D.

On Fri, May 14, 2010 at 18:13, Paul Cunningham <paul at cometway.com> wrote:
> I agree, as many of us were fed and educated by the item available from the Radio Shack catalog. My teenage residence at the Radio Shack Computer center ensured my adult prosperity and sold them a lot of computers.
>
> Arguing over what blind people can and cannot do is like trying to guess where the pineapple juice went after I spilled it on my MacBook keyboard. Like I said before, use whatever interface inspires and connects you to the music -- that's the one that's best. -pc
>
>
> On May 14, 2010, at 11:41 AM, Amos <controlvoltage at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I'd like to mention that the original discussion, beginning with Rat Shack and leading to several meditations on UI design, has been one of the most enjoyable conversations here (for me) in some time.
> _______________________________________________
> Synth-diy mailing list
> Synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> http://dropmix.xs4all.nl/mailman/listinfo/synth-diy
>