absolutely!
i s'pose i was thinking about this as it relates to architecture. i studied
[it] a for a few years and when you learn about the modernists (Le
Corbusier etc.) you hear 'form follows function' time and time again. it
can be a way of saying "this is the One Right Design", when of course it
isn't.
it seems that with things that have been 'designed' as opposed to
'engineered' there is an awful lot of styling that goes on - that isn't
bad, it's just not form following function anymore. so to criticise those
intel designs for not being 'functional' doesn't make sense - because case
design isn't about that, even if SJ claims it is. think of the hockey puck
imac mouse - some people might like it but it does spin in the hand like a
normal mouse wouldn't.
but you are very right about handhelds, ergonomics are extremely important.
i'm interested to play with a sharp zaurus when they come out ~ that little
keyboard looks like it would be either really good or absolutely rotten.
aaron
>I can see where you are coming from here. But you must remember that with
>a tablet or other handheld, the form is very important. The examples that
>you provide for things where the form is important simply reinforce that,
>since their interaction with other physical things (such as your hands) is
>very important to their functions.
>
>-James
>
>>i don't know - i think there are a few that are nice, but then i think that
>>the new imac is a bit ugly compared to the old one sitting on my desk here.
>>
>>form follows function? a much overused mantra! i use macs and they are as
>>every bit as 'designey' as these computers @ intel, if a little more
>>successful (and a little more real). 'form follows function' works for
>>things like hammers + power pylons, not computer hardwar - well, not the
>>cases anyway.
>>
>>it's just a bit of marketing wank for SJ: the walk in the garden, look at
>>the sunflower, let each element be true to itself... the great master
>>instructing his disciple! yuk yuk yuk.
>>
>>aaron
>
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