<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Oct 15, 2008 at 8:26 PM, jonathan ferguson <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:jdpf@edumetrics.org">jdpf@edumetrics.org</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">
<br>Finally, to further argue that the Default File not be changed for<br>
mouse buttons: placing selection and other actions on a "non-standard"<br>
button accomplishes a very important thing: It teaches new users to<br>
*select with care.* </blockquote><div><br></div><div>I think the argument above strikes at the heart of the discussion we're having here. The question being, "Which is more important? Retention rates of potential new users or, ironically, familiarity for current users who admittedly have made the effort to switch to Blender's way of doing things by default and have reaped the benefits".</div>
<div><br></div><div>Well, I for one think that retention rates for potential new users out weights current user familiarity, not because I think new users are more important but because current users are familiar enough to have the option of using their software the way they are used to but potential new users don't have that luxury. And not having that luxury they become confused and more often then not choose to not join our community, and may even become hostile, which any way one looks at it would be an unfortunate thing for everyone involved.</div>
<div><br></div><div>That said, I think it's pointless to argue about whether this or that mouse button is the "default" because after it's been set once and the default files have been saved we never need to look at it again so current users who have their "defaults" set to the way Blender works now won't even notice if the "defaults" for future release are changed. Let me explain. Basically, I have my "defaults" set to choose with left mouse button, camera with turntable controls, 3D view in 3/4 perspective, etc. And since I'm using installers to install it, when I install the latest version of Blender as I did yesterday it opens to my own default file so when I open Blender after an install nothing have changed for me other then new options being available in different menus. Since I can't imagine the UI options we're talking about here will ever disappear in future releases, current users who use the current "default" way shouldn't see their work flow change in anyway either.</div>
<div><br></div><div>And that's not even taking in to account the number of current users who don't have their "defaults" set to the "defaults"...</div><div><br></div><div>So, a singular change which shouldn't effect current users may help our community grow in numbers. Looking at it this way, I think it's probably a good idea to make the small changes that will make Blender more welcoming to those who, having become disappointed with the status quo just as we did, are looking for a better way . And, as you say, if "align to view" is already turned off then perhaps going a step or two further won't be so bad.</div>
<div><br></div><div>phong.</div></div></div>