cocoaforge

So did the "Do It" button become "Cycle"? If so, I don't think it's that clear that that's how you "click OK," so to speak (i.e. normally the "OK button" is blue, whereas your Cycle button is just one of several various buttons). And if "Hide" will do (to hide that window) (keep in mind I'm not familiar with your program, I just stumbled upon this thread), then what is the Cycle button for?

Correct, the "Do It" was changed to "Cycle". I chose not to have it Blue to start with- when clicked the caption becomes "Cancel" and turn blue. Click again and we're back to "Cycle". I think I'll change this, though; it does look better blue.
The Hide button comes into play with the remote feature (not shown; http://www.victoryharvest.net/AutoAdium.jpg). This is for those who'd rather not have AutoAdium cluttering up their desktop, but still would like to see their current away.

HTH
Ben
GoatCoder.com[/url]

I always remember a story from the early days of the Macintosh, when the designers were trying to create a useable interface. They used "Cancel" and "Do It" buttons in dialog boxes, but users had a lot of trouble. Finally, one frustrated user screamed, "why does it keep calling me a Dolt??"

I'm not a fan of "Do It" buttons -- label with some appropriate action word.

Cycle it is

GoatMan wrote:Ok, I gave it my best shot, and I kinda like it. I've got a (semi) working beta, and here's a screenshot if you're interested:


Comments?

HTH
Ben
GoatCoder.com

You really need a HIG course...

David Munch wrote: You really need a HIG course...

Constructive criticism please Out of curiosity, does everyone think I should leave the brushed metal behind?

HTH
Ben


P.S. David, did you have any ideas as to the interface?

Yeah, I'm not as much of a metal-hater as some, but I think Aqua is best in most cases. Some apps use metal "just because" but Aqua is probably more popular and looks better in general.

GoatMan wrote:

David Munch wrote: You really need a HIG course...

Constructive criticism please Out of curiosity, does everyone think I should leave the brushed metal behind?

HTH
Ben


P.S. David, did you have any ideas as to the interface?

Couple of thoughts:


Why metal? I asked this earlier, it's just a question to be answered. If you can't think of why, go aqua.

Can you make preferences in real basic apps like prefs in most other apps? (appname/preferences by the apple)


Ok, do this. Make them side by side and not bottom/top. Put the +/minus underneath what it applies to. What is hide for? Can rb apps take advantage of os x's already implemented hide, if so, remove it. Remove clear, cmd+a+delete does that job. Move cycle button to the bottom right and then move the drop down next to it. Why the checkbox?

More thoughts. Put checkboxes beside the items in the table and remove the need for the tabs by having a drop down/combo box or whatever with profiles in it. You can have a "new" and a "edit" in the drop down, which will allow you to add items/remove them per profile. This removes the need for tabs altogether.

David Munch wrote:

GoatMan wrote:Ok, I gave it my best shot, and I kinda like it. I've got a (semi) working beta, and here's a screenshot if you're interested:


Comments?

HTH
Ben
GoatCoder.com

You really need a HIG course...

How in the world is this constructive at all? This is a person asking for assistance and guidance and all you have to say is this? GRRR

The_Tick wrote:

Ok, do this. Make them side by side and not bottom/top.

I'm trying out a few looks, and I couldn't understand this line.

??

AH! Nevermind, I got it. That would look better....

And Now....Unveiling *Drumroll* tonight's work (Excuse the number of pics)

Main Window:



Main Window, Cycle pressed:


Menu: No need for a pic.... did put the about and preference menus in the Apple approved spot (under my app name)

Plus button pushed:




Enough of that for a night..... I'll await my flogging in the morning



HTH
Ben



P.s. Many thanks to The_Tick. Your suggestions (as can be seen) were highly appreciated.

All right.... enough of this. Wish me luck- I'm going to Cocoa.

That looks loads better; great job. The progress bar looks kind of odd just sitting down there when it isn't active, but maybe a lot of apps are like that.

Also, when you push the Plus button, the "Please Specify A Name for Your Away" shouldn't be red. Red text would be used if, for example, they tried to click Create but hadn't typed anything in; then that text could appear, in red. Another option is just disabling the Create button if the text field is blank, but that's more complicated to program (though I'm sure it's easy if you know how).

And of course my little nitpicking tidbit: the "Please Specify etc." message is a sentence, not a title, so it should read "Please specify a name for your away."

It's looking good man

Lol.. Yeah, that red-texted screenshot was taken after the "Create" button was pushed and the editfield was empty. Also, I realized I haven't added a cancel button to that dialog yet. I like the "disable the Create button" though.. shouldn't be too hard. I do think I'm going to start migrating to Cocoa though... not too soon, at any rate 8)

HTH
Ben

I missed something...if you're migrating to Cocoa, what is the app right now? Carbon?

FredAkbar wrote:I missed something...if you're migrating to Cocoa, what is the app right now? Carbon?

You know, I'm not quite sure what it's labeled as. RealBasic app, if that helps.