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Transfer of Learning

We have an innate ability to generalize from related cases—we use it to learn language. You apply this skill when using computer interfaces as well. For example, if you know there is a Delete Program command to delete programs, and you want to delete a new object type, say a ‘glob’, you will expect a Delete Glob command to remove it.

Try to choose operations that have intuitive metaphors. Most operations can be presented in terms of a relatively small number of primitive operations, for example, creating, changing, deleting, moving, merging, and splitting, which are intuitive to a user.