Re: Gtk version getting closer

["Robert J. Chassell" <bob@rattlesnake.com>]

   On 13 Nov 2002, Miles Bader wrote:

   > The way I use tooltips is to pause over something and wait to see if
   > something pops up; if nothing does, I just think `oh there's no tooltip
   > for that.'

That makes sense.

The problem is not with experts, but with people just learning.  Such
people think that Emacs is broken when they don't see a tooltip.

For example, all the menu items in the `File' and `Edit' menus have
tooltips, but there is no tooltip for the `Expand Aliases' menu item
in the Mail mode menu.  (I myself just discovered this -- I normally
don't look at tooltips.)

The lack of an `Expand Aliases' menu item tool tip will hurt some
people, such as those who don't yet understand address aliases or are
confused by them.

The problem here is that it takes great talent both to be an expert
and to write tips that help a novice.  And to have interest in the
problem.

Perhaps someone from the Emacspeak contingent could and will help?
Emacspeak is intended not only for knowledgeable and determined geeks,
but also for ordinary people who cannot look at a screen.  (Do the
blind use a keyboard-only variation on the menus for sighted people,
such as that provided by `tmm-menubar'?)

Otherwise, I fear that Emacs will remain less well used than it should
be, and continue to possess a false, off-putting reputation.

--
    Robert J. Chassell                         Rattlesnake Enterprises
    http://www.rattlesnake.com                  GnuPG Key ID: 004B4AC8
    http://www.teak.cc                             bob@rattlesnake.com