Mac OS X Finder handles long file names much better than Windows Explorer does. If you have a long list of similarly named files, OS X makes it very easy to tell, at a glance, which file you want without having to expand your window. It adds ellipses in the middle of the name, allowing you to see the beginning and end of the file name.
Windows, however, adds ellipses at the end of the file name, making it impossible to distinguish between file names.
Screenshot:
How Mac OS X Finder handles long file names
The usability improvement implied in this simple touch is unmistakeable. It’s these small details that can improve your app. Always think about how a feature, used in a particular way, can hurt or help your users.
Clay
October 28, 2008 at 6:14 pm
It’s totally amazing to have a company and an Operating System that actually care about interface and usability. I’m officially a MAC fanboy, and damn proud of it.
Hey, by the way man, we need to start coordinating posts and generating some backlinks. What do you want to write about next? Maybe something to do with freelancing and starting your own business? Or maybe a little formal and official announcement of our venture into the freelance market (http://new-age-design.com) through our parent company, Chosen Creative Advertising (http://chosencreative.com) pardon my viral marketing *big grin*
Much love brother. Keep making the world a more user-friendly place!