[TextMate] Preferences solution

[Ryan Platte]

On Thu, 7 Oct 2004 10:01:27 -0700, Eric Ocean <subscriber at ampede.com> wrote:
> have the Preferences... menu item launch a
> help window/assistant that explains the preferences philosophy of
> TextMate, along with visuals on where to find them (the specific
> menus), and how the TextMate approach makes sense for what TextMate
> does.
> 
> That will eliminate the number one problem encountered by new users,
> and also get them quickly up to speed about TextMate's underlying
> philosophy.
> 
> "Show, don't tell."

You're suggesting explanatory text -- which would seem to map to
telling more than showing.

The need to explain something to users is a sign that there's a design
problem to be corrected. Given that Allan has said a Preferences item
is inevitable, shouldn't that just be introduced instead of
implemented as an explanation for why it's not there?

If there must be an explanation, why not just make it the first
tip-of-the-day the user sees?

-- 
Ryan Platte