Postbag

GETTING INTO WINDOWS

I am writing to express frustration at the apparently insuperable difficulty in understanding the WIMP system sufficiently to make use of it within programs. I have studied the series in RISC User Volume 1 Issues 5, 6 & 7, and other articles elsewhere, and of course the Programmer's Reference Manual. Despite considering myself computer literate, I have been beaten by the complexity of the WIMP system.

I understand the basic principles - creating a window or menu is clear enough - but opening and polling are a different story. The problem is to write programs which use the features of the system and which work. I believe that this problem must be shared by a large number of your readers. The purpose of this letter is to convince you that the problem exists, and to suggest how to solve it.
Norman Kirkby

Mr.Kirkby's letter continues by analysing what he sees as the major problems, and follows this with detailed and constructive proposals for tackling the problems highlighted above. In response, we have to say that above all else the WIMP system is complex. There is a wealth of detail that has to be mastered before even the most trivial of WIMP programs can be made to work. We have been well aware that the first series of three articles which Mr.Kirkby refers to were neither adequately detailed, nor yet sufficiently comprehensive, but at that time, with a much lower membership, the magazine was smaller and competition for space much greater.

However, as Mr.Kirkby rightly points out later in his letter, the WIMP system, particularly under RISC OS, is far too important to ignore, and we hope to rise to the challenge in future issues of RISC User. However, to do justice to the subject, and to explain it adequately will take more than a short article or two.

THE 'BOFFINS' FIGHT BACK

In the May issue of RISC User (Volume 2 Issue 6) you invite comment from 'more technically minded members'. I value RISC User for news and product reviews, but find the programs virtually useless. Programs are most useful to me for the techniques and ideas behind them, but these are rarely easy to untangle from your articles. The introductory sections are almost always too brief to provide a sensible explanation of how the program works, and the program listings are never commented. This is particularly true of assembler programs.

At this point you may cry "No room", but this is no solution. Fewer programs could be presented, but to a higher standard. Better explanation and proper commenting would give the beginner a chance of understanding the program, and would allow readers like myself to extract the bits of interest; the needs of the inexperienced and experienced are not necessarily at odds. Programs could be relegated to an appendix (lower quality paper?) or even to the magazine disc.

I hope this letter may help you to find out whether others share the same views.
Dr. Mark Wetton

As might be expected, previous comments in Postbag have prompted several of the more technically minded readers to write in response. Clearly we shall be looking closely at the results of our reader survey, included in the previous issue, before making any changes. The question of more detailed explanations at the expense of program listings (as suggested by Dr. Wetton) was covered in the questionnaire, and is one possible change which we shall be considering quite carefully. Our thanks also to other readers who have written in with their ideas and suggestions.

A CALL FROM DOWN UNDER

We here at the bottom of the Earth, being so far away from our sources of BBC and Archimedes information and supplies, would like to make contact with one of your clubs, but which shall it be? We would like some help in that direction as there are quite a few members on our side of the world keen to keep up to date on all the latest details.

So let's hear from you - you will at least get a reply from our members.
Theo Ollifers
Auckland BBC User Group

Of course, we assume that BBC and Archimedes owners in New Zealand are avid readers of our two magazines BEEBUG and RISC User anyway. But the personal contact between smaller and regional user groups can be very rewarding. If any group in the UK wishes to follow up the appeal from Theo Ollifers they should write to him at Auckland BBC User Group, P.O.Box 9322, New Market, Auckland, New Zealand.