The loupe in user interfaces

One of the worst limitations of user interfaces is the low resolution of video displays. I’m interested in ways of overcoming that limitation.

1) The Mac OS X dock has a wonderful magnification feature.

2) In a similar vein, this applet uses magnification to eliminate scroll bars in a list box.

This method does have one drawback: the first few items are illegible until the cursor highlights it, but in my opinion that is outweighed by the convenience of not having to scroll.

3) ThumbsPlus, an excellent graphics viewer and cataloger, has a loupe feature in the new version. Press ‘q’ while viewing an image, and the portion over the cursor is magnified.

4) The new version of OS X has Expose; a demonstration applet is available here (click on the ‘try it out’ icon).

*************

Magnification can be a powerful tool. I think it is certainly better than many alternatives: reduced detail, sequential display, or scrolling come to mind.

An analogy could be made with the human eye (only a small portion of our eyes can see much detail; much of our field of view is only good at detecting movement), but I am leery of computer-to-human analogies.

*************

Does anyone have any other examples, or insights?