> Physically arranging windows allows for a much more solid multi-tasking experience,
I think so, too, but I wouldn’t bet on it being true. I think we spent a lot of time rearranging windows, losing productivity, especially on the small screens of the day.
In some cases I think that was worth it in the sense that you could set up your workspace with the tools you needed for the job at hand.
Maybe, the issue is more that modern applications dictate your work setup too much, not allowing you to make them feel your own?
> and encouraged direct manipulation of content e.g. drag and drop.
That’s true, but I think the usefulness of drag and drop is limited, anyways (for example, when did you last drag and drop a picture between windows or a text selection? And aside: do you know iOS supports dragging and dropping text selections?)
> To me, this is what made macOS so great for creative tasks. It activated my spatial memory.
I don’t follow that chain of thought. How does activating your spatial memory make an OS great for creative tasks?
Also how are the current single-window-with-inbuilt-palettes applications worse for “activating your spatial memory”? The palettes still are there, and in more predictable locations.
I think so, too, but I wouldn’t bet on it being true. I think we spent a lot of time rearranging windows, losing productivity, especially on the small screens of the day.
In some cases I think that was worth it in the sense that you could set up your workspace with the tools you needed for the job at hand.
Maybe, the issue is more that modern applications dictate your work setup too much, not allowing you to make them feel your own?
> and encouraged direct manipulation of content e.g. drag and drop.
That’s true, but I think the usefulness of drag and drop is limited, anyways (for example, when did you last drag and drop a picture between windows or a text selection? And aside: do you know iOS supports dragging and dropping text selections?)
> To me, this is what made macOS so great for creative tasks. It activated my spatial memory.
I don’t follow that chain of thought. How does activating your spatial memory make an OS great for creative tasks?
Also how are the current single-window-with-inbuilt-palettes applications worse for “activating your spatial memory”? The palettes still are there, and in more predictable locations.