Gary Schnabl wrote:
On 1/6/2010 8:51 PM, Daniel Lewis wrote:
Jean Hollis Weber wrote:
Daniel Lewis wrote:
OK, I have received the information I needed for "context" vs
"pop-up". So I had changed all of them from pop-up, but I will be
changing them all back before completing my review. Although
consistency would point to using "context", beginners would more
easily understand "pop-up". So understandability is the most
important factor for them.
The following is found on page 34:
1.
To change the font color for the headings: (this line is numbered
3 rather than the 1 shown here.)
1.
Right-click on a heading/ /and select *Modify* from the context
menu.
2.
On the Paragraph Style dialog, click the *Font Effects* tab.
Change the font color to Light Cyan.
3.
Click *OK* to close the dialog.
What is a dialog? I think I understand, but I really doubt most
readers of the Getting Started with Base chapter will understand. I
would prefer to use the term window since a window is created.
A dialog is a window-like box where the user selects items, types
info, clicks buttons, etc. It overlays (pops up on top of) a window
such as the main Writer window, the main Base windows, etc. The
Styles & Formatting window is a special case (re terminology).
A dialog box (or dialog) differs from a (general) window in that a
dialog box has a focus that must be terminated before the application
can resume. IOW, it ties up the application until it is acted upon. The
Stylist window need not be acted upon and can remain open, if desired. A
dialog box disappears from view (and is essentially nonexistent) after
its use (i.e., its reason to exist) is over.
Thanks, Gary, I keep forgetting that distinction, which is technically
correct and IMO only relevant and important to programmers.
IMO the distinction is totally irrelevant to most people who are
simply trying to use the app. And those people more accustomed to
using web apps may rarely encounter the term "dialog" in other
programs and thus are likely to consider it an odd term. That's
another reason why I personally prefer calling them "windows," though
in web apps, the term is just as likely to be "page" as "window."
To me, the term "dialog" is almost as old-fashioned as "screen" and of
about the same relevance to many users: almost none... despite its
usefulness to those to whom the distinction does matter.
--Jean
