"use verbs"

Posted Jul 18, 2008 15:44 UTC (Fri) by TxtEdMacs (guest, #5983)
In reply to: "use verbs" by whitemice
Parent article: Mono man accuses Mac Gtk+ fans of jeopardizing Linux desktop (the Register)

I wonder if something very obvious is being missed in this thread.  That is, if you are using
the GUI and are right handed mouse user, Cancel/OK order makes prefect sense.  It is easier.  

This exhibits a common bias I encountered quite a time ago when I was in a highschool ROTC
program.  While right handed I am partially ambidextrous and I shoot left handed with a rifle
or a hand gun.  When an external adult, visitor seeing my preference* advised me to do things
right handed I began to doubt the mental acuity of those with <i>rank</i>.  It was a factor
that played a role in my turning away from my dream of a military career.

* My marksmanship is better left handed than right.

"use verbs"

Posted Jul 18, 2008 20:38 UTC (Fri) by Wol (subscriber, #4433) [Link] (2 responses)

Are you left-eyed?

I'm right-handed, but shoot left handed. It's not that my vision is better left-handed, it's
that I can't even see the target if I try to shoot right-handed.

Apparently, about 15% of people have each of a left -eye, -foot or -hand dominance. And
there's no link between them. I'm right-handed, right-footed and right-eyed. My grandson is
probably going to be pretty unusual - he appears to be left-footed, and and will quite likely
be left-handed as that trait is often inherited maternally - his mum is left-handed.

Oh - and as to the military - I remember asking the recruiting people years ago "what happens
if you *CAN'T* shoot right-handed?". Not then, but they said not that long before they would
have forced you to shoot right-handed. I had to work hard to get them to realise I said
"can't", not "won't".

(And they said that sort of person would probably have ended up in the cookhouse or similar.
Indeed, they might again now, because I think one of the main British Army guns can only be
used right-handed - it ejects spent cartridges back and to the right, over the shoulder of a
right-handed user but straight into the face of a left-hander.)

Cheers,
Wol

"use verbs"

Posted Jul 18, 2008 20:39 UTC (Fri) by Wol (subscriber, #4433) [Link]

Whoops - I meant to say I'm left-eyed.

Cheers,
Wol

"use verbs"

Posted Jul 19, 2008 14:18 UTC (Sat) by TxtEdMacs (guest, #5983) [Link]

Sorry for the delayed response.

Yes it's partially an eyesight issue but not as extreme as lacking vision in the right eye. I
think it is brain related.  Regarding weapons being by design right handed, I cannot remember
what weapon, but one put some ejected shells into my chest pocket.  I cannot comment on the
footedness, just have not noticed, I guess I am just oblivious.  Nonetheless, it might be a
factor in my being such a poor dancer.