Spatial Is Not Easier

Spatial Is Not Easier

It's a good thing(tm) for a GUI to follow a physical metaphor (like the "real world" concept of nested folders) to lessen the learning curve.

Well, I'm not so sure. You learn the metaphor once, but you're stuck with the limitations imposed by the metaphor for as long as you use it. So the longer you use it, the less productive it becomes.

From the article:

"It sticks to the fact that people associate better with the computer's interface when they know that files and folders seem real..."

This statement is not fact, its supposition. Most of UI design is based on what one assumes to be true about user interaction with computers, based on observation. Its the author's opinion, one that he shares with the majority of the current UI development community, which is probably why he feels comfortable stating his opinion as "fact." Safety in numbers, and all that.

So your users have to learn the browsing metaphor anyway... If you are concerned with simplicity don't make your users learn multiple metaphors. Have one metaphor and be consistent with it.

Excellent point, one worth pondering for a while...