Re: generate 3) S-mouse-2: follow link in new window

[David Kastrup <dak@gnu.org>]

"Drew Adams" <drew.adams@oracle.com> writes:

> Here's a thought -
>
> Have `ask' be the default value of `mouse-1-click-follows-link', and have a
> behavior similar to that of `disable-command':
>
> If the value is `ask', then the first time (only) that a user clicks a link
> with `mouse-1', s?he is asked this:
>
>  "You have clicked a link using `mouse-1'. In Emacs, clicking
>  `mouse-2' follows links, and `mouse-1' has other uses.
>  Do you also want clicking `mouse-1' to follow links?"
>
> If the answer is "yes", then the value is changed to 450 (the current
> default value). Otherwise, it is changed to nil. The new value is saved
> (Customize). A message echoes the new value and the option name, for future
> reference.
>
> This behavior has these advantages:
>
> * It tells the user which button `mouse-1' is ("You have clicked...").
>
> * It makes the user aware of what the choices are and what the variable is
> that governs them.
>
> * It requires an explicit user choice. It does so at the right time: first
> link click.
>
> * It states that `mouse-2' is standard for following links and it will
> continue to follow links in any case. It does not explicitly refer to any
> disadvantages for `mouse-1' following links, but `mouse-2' as the "standard"
> might lead some new users to give it a try. Many new users are open to
> learning the Emacs way.
>
> * It has zero impact on anyone who has already customized the option. It has
> negligeable impact on anyone who has not - a user need answer the question
> at most once.
>
> WDOT?

Very bad idea.  Emacs should be usable out of the box.  People should
not be _forced_ to customize anything to make it so.  It is a
particularly bad mistake to force a _beginner_ to make a decision
about his future working habits and then casting this decision in
stone (it will be much harder to figure out how to change it then it
was to set it).

-- 
David Kastrup, Kriemhildstr. 15, 44793 Bochum