Level 1

9 points

Why is there no “cancel” button anywhere in OS X?

In Windows, there is almost always a “cancel” button to undo your changes. So, for example, if you changed a bunch of settings in windows but change your mind, you can hit “cancel” and it’ll simply undo everything you changed and exit you out of the settings window.

In OS X, this feature is non-existent.

Is there any particular reason for omitting this useful feature? It’s not as though a “cancel” button is a resource hog, now is it?

I mean, it seems like a no-brainer for Apple to incorporate this feature.

Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Aug 4, 2010 11:06 PM

38 replies

dbsneddon

Level 4

1,542 points

Aug 4, 2010 11:11 PM in response to OrcaMDDDS

If you can give us one specific example of what you mean, you may find
that there is a cancel button. Since your "question" was rather vague it
is difficult to answer as originally put...

Dave

OrcaMDDDS Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 4, 2010 11:12 PM in response to dbsneddon

For example, when changing preferences for OS X and Safari.

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Aug 5, 2010 8:18 AM in response to tonydenson

Go to an Apple store and watch 4 year olds navigate an OS on a Mac. You'll never see that happen on a Windows computer. Intuitive is what it's called. They don't even read the manuals.

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Aug 5, 2010 2:30 PM in response to tonydenson

FYI I am an Apple Developer, I do know the normal procedures

Thanks for the feedback. Then, you know the drill and should be dealing with any shortcomings through those channels.

red_menace

Level 6

17,066 points

Aug 5, 2010 8:34 PM in response to tonydenson

The single menu is not a shortcoming. It is merely a human interface design decision based on Fitts's law.

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Aug 5, 2010 10:43 PM in response to OrcaMDDDS

Perhaps when changes are made, a little window could pop up and ask, "Do you really want to make this change?" or something similar.
This would be a way to stop the changes.

OrcaMDDDS Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 5, 2010 10:45 PM in response to sig

Pure nonsense.

OrcaMDDDS Author

Level 1

9 points

Aug 5, 2010 10:48 PM in response to red_menace

Are you aware that Fitt’s law is notoriously deficient in many ways?

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Why is there no “cancel” button anywhere in OS X?