CompuServe Messages

Craig & Roger, Both of your arguments are valid. Many beginners learn visually, while others can actually type (and remember commands of all things!) I think a sound base of the variety of input methods up front provides a "menu" of choices which the user can pick from. I find early on that my students gravitate to the entire range of input formats. Typing, screen menus, pull-downs, and tablet. Of course, some don't have a clue. C'est la vie. But typing commands and options builds a solid foundation for menu customizing, scripts, LISP etc. While picking from menus and dialogues can build a confidence level in others who may be intimidated by the typing. We must remember that this entire "GUI"/windows/dialogue transmogrification was borne of a slow blending of the original Macintosh interface and the linear process of DOS command prompts. Both systems saw the benefits of the other, hence the movement toward each other. It is the same with what we present to our students. Why present only one side? Are all of our students left-brained? God, I hope not. We have a mix. Show 'em the choices, and let 'em choose. But of course this all requires an instructor with patience, tolerance, and a willingness to let go of the reins. We often try to keep a tight grip. Shoe