I think I mentioned in a earlier e-mail that I went for two buttons in
the end.
The process that I am stopping and starting is a 'wait for incoming
call'. I have seen a lot of these sort of applications - click on a
button and the app starts listening in on a comm port.
The UI has to be as clean & simple as possible as it is a back office
type application - not typically attended. It is an ideal candidate for
a web interface.
The approach suggested by Neven (just changing the caption?), I dislike
in most apps as it can violate the 'never make the user look stupid
rule'. Its pretty obviously that the average user does not read, and
changing only a piece of black text on a dark grey button face can be
too subtle. The VB app I talked about changes its caption between 'wait
for call' and 'terminate call' - I have had users look stupid when come
& say 'the button says it is 'waiting for a call' but it does not pick
up the line, (think about it).
Best UI example of 'cool' over 'function' is Hitch Hikers Guide to the
Galaxy - Restaurant at the End of the Universe. The black ship is so
stylish & black that the computer shows black warning lights flashing on
a black background <g>
The other UI example I have at the moment is a ZX Spectrum WinAmp skin.
It is really ugly looking but probably the cleanest and most usable
WinAmp skin I have.
Grant Black
Software Developer
SmartMove (NZ) Ltd
Phone: +64 9 361-0219 extn 719
Fax : +64 9 361-0211
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nic Wise [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: Friday, September 10, 1999 7:55 AM
> To: Multiple recipients of list delphi
> Subject: Re: [DUG]: One button or two
>
>
> > 3/ The trick with UI is CONSISTENCY - develop a style and
> stick to it - if it's quirky who gives a shit it
> > is usually an expression of the developers style (32
> pages of diatribe on design in the 20th century edited out here)
> >
>
> OK, getting into design a little here - consistency IS important, but
> only if it is consistantly good - look at McDonalds or BK - its
> consistnant as hell, but its still total crap.
>
> Grant, whats the purpose of the app? More to the point, what does the
> user want to acheive by using your app???
>
> N
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