No one knew the right way to do stuff. Star had a noun/verb model of doing actions that all objects you could select responded to in the same way. It did not use control key combinations. It was actually much easier to learn and more consistent than the Lisa or Mac. But it did require a unique keyboard.
It also used a two button mouse (3rd if you coorded but Star did not use that, XDE did). Mac Lisa had one button but a second button was simulated with a control click. I found the Max model much harder for text selection over large area with click and drag a PITA. The two button metaphor of click and extend the click with a second button click much easier in practice for most editing. But both Xerox and Apple’s systems were well done and consistent.
By the way the Star keyboard was excellent. The tactile feel was awesome and much like a Selectric typewriter with a slight curve to the keyboard.
It also used a two button mouse (3rd if you coorded but Star did not use that, XDE did). Mac Lisa had one button but a second button was simulated with a control click. I found the Max model much harder for text selection over large area with click and drag a PITA. The two button metaphor of click and extend the click with a second button click much easier in practice for most editing. But both Xerox and Apple’s systems were well done and consistent.
By the way the Star keyboard was excellent. The tactile feel was awesome and much like a Selectric typewriter with a slight curve to the keyboard.