Quote:
Originally Posted by DMSmillie
Why is having location numbers displayed at the bottom of the screen any more distracting than having page numbers printed at the bottom of the page in a printed book?
Like Pushka, I just don't get all the angst over this...
|
Besides the fact that subconsciousness constantly trying to figure out the meaning of location numbers?
There is nothing wrong with you not understanding. It's because you are different from those who complain about location numbers.
Quote:
With my tongue firmly planted in my cheek, I call them Homo logicus: a species slightly—but distinctly—different from Homo sapiens. From my own observations, I have isolated four fundamental ways in which they think and behave differently from normal humans. Homo logicus trade simplicity for control. Homo logicus Exchange Success for Understanding. They are driven by an irresistible desire to understand how things work. By contrast, Homo sapiens have a strong desire for success. Homo logicus also want to succeed, but they will frequently accept failure as the price to pay for understanding.
Here is a humorous litmus test called the Jetway Test to highlight the difference. To perform this test, all you have to do is visualize yourself walking down the corridor of a Jetway as you board an airliner. As you step onto the aircraft, you have a choice of going left into the cockpit or right into the cabin.
To the left, the cockpit is a kaleidoscope of complex controls and gauges, with every urface covered with instruments, knobs, and levers. To the right, in stark contrast, lies the cabin, where everything is gently rounded, smooth, and a calm-inducing shade of beige.
To turn left into the cockpit means that you must learn and master all the complicated technical stuff. You must know what every one of those instruments means. In exchange for understanding all that complexity is the certain knowledge that you are in control and that you are responsible for landing the aircraft at the right place.
To turn right into the cabin means that you relinquish all authority over the flight. In exchange for abdication of control, you get to relax, knowing that you will arrive at the proper destination without dealing with anything more complex than turning the reading light on and off.
The Jetway Test neatly divides the human race into two categories: Those who turn left strongly desire to be in control and to understand how the technology works, and those who turn right strongly desire to simplify their thinking and to have confidence in the success of the flight. Homo logicus—always want to turn left.
Homo sapiens—always want to turn right.
|
While location is a good thing for pinpointing (arbitrarily) exact location within a book it has little meaning while reading. If it was up to me i'd hide it and provide a way to access that number if needed.
Percentage is not the same as a page number. It's more like seeing how the thickness of left side of the book (part that have been read) relates to the total thickness of the book.
Total number of locations is another bit of information that is rather useless. Besides seeing that this book has a bigger number than another.
I'd like to hide them all: percentage, current location and total number of locations, and have one or two more lines of text instead.
When i really need to see my space shuttle's dashboard i'd press Menu. Just like i do when i need to see what time it is.
I wonder besides giving a point of reference for scientific books what are the other uses of Page numbers in printed media?
I can describe one situation when I miss "page number" in Kindle: i am almost at the end of an exciting book, but it's late, really late at night. I know my kids will be up and jumping early in the morning...I trying to make up my mind: should i keep going or stop now? The percentage shows 99% but how many pagefulls of text does it mean - 1 or 50?
if i knew that there were only 10 or so pagefulls more, i would keep reading. IF more i'd stop.
Of course, you could say: "calculate the number of locations in current view and then calculate the difference between the total number of locations and current location. Then divide that difference by the number of locations on page. tah dah!!!"
NO THANK YOU