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RE: [ui-best-practices-working-group] Prep info for discussion on useof ellipsis
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Hi Kevin,
I'm not on the UI WG, but I have a clear opinion here: pick
Apple
where it makes more sense, especially if it is what we
already do.
Change is work and produces confusion, so I'm only in favor
of
change when there is some advantage.
In this case, the Apple guideline is clearer and without
ambiguity;
Microsoft's argument of "Reducing Screen Clutter" is a
non-argument
for me, compared to the advantage of knowing when choosing
a
menu item performs some work right away versus when I still
have a chance of reviewing stuff (in a new window) before
it fires.
Gimme those Ellipses back!
Cheers,
--
Martin Oberhuber, Senior Member of Technical
Staff, Wind River
Target Management Project
Lead, DSDP PMC Member
Hi gang,
Problem Statement
Based on our read of the Vista guidelines, we changed
"Preferences..." to "Preferences". This triggered bug
https://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=226468 which requested it be
changed back. See the bug for the discussion.
In addition to answering the specific question, there's
is of course the general issue of either which guideline to follow, or how to
intepret the Vista/XP guideline.
I thought it'd be fun, since this is a guideline issue, for us to
decide as a group.
Vista/XP
My read of
the Vista guideline http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa511453.aspx, suggests it shouldn't have ellipsis (my bold):
While command buttons are used for immediate
actions, more information might
be needed to perform the action. Indicate a
command that needs additional
information (including confirmation) by
adding an ellipsis at the end of the
button label.
Proper use of
ellipses is important to indicate that users can make further
choices
before performing the action, or even cancel the action entirely.
The
visual cue offered by an ellipsis allows users to explore your software
without
fear.
This doesn't mean you should use an ellipsis
whenever an action displays
another window only when additional information
is required to perform the
action. Consequently, any command button whose
implied verb is show another
window doesn't take an ellipsis, such as
with the commands About, Advanced,
Help (or any other command linking to a
Help topic), Options, Properties, or
Settings.
Generally,
ellipses are used in UI to indicate incompleteness. Commands that
show
other windows aren't incomplete they must display another window
and
additional information isn't needed to perform their action. This
approach
eliminates screen clutter in situations where ellipses have little
value.
"Preferences" is much like "Properties", which they do specifically
mention, and seems to fit the case description of being an implied "Show
Preferences".
With respect to XP,
the Windows Interface Guidelines book
(http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Interface-Guidelines-Software-Design/dp/1556156790)
reads approximately the same and calls out Properties as not deserving, so I
don't think there was a guideline change from XP to Vista, just
clarification.
I should add that
we've always deferred to the Windows guidelines in cases where there wasn't
something Eclipse specific worth calling out.
Apple
The Apple guideline is more liberal with use of ellipsis
http://developer.apple.com/documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/OSXHIGuidelines/XHIGText/chapter_14_section_3.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP30000365-TPXREF126
Use an ellipsis in the name of a button or menu item when
the associated action:
...
Is performed by the user in a separate
window or dialog.
For example, Preferences, Customize
Toolbar, and Send Feedback all use an ellipsis because they open a
window (potentially in another application, such as a browser) or a dialog
in which the user sets preferences, customizes the toolbar, or sends feedback.
http://dev.eclipse.org/blogs/kevinmcguire/2007/10/12/ellipsis-for-eclipses/To see why such commands must include an ellipsis,
consider that the absence of an ellipsis implies that the application
performs the action for the user. If, for example, the Send Feedback
command did not include an ellipsis, it would imply that feedback is generated
and sent automatically by the application.
The Apple guideline is simpler and basically
states that if a new window results than you should use ellipsis. It
specifically calls out Preferences and iTunes indeed has
"Edit"->"Preferences...". One plus of the Apple guideline is that
there is no ambuiguity. Another argument is that it more closely matches
what we generally do, although this may be through a lack of knowledge of the
Windows guideline. However, easier to interpret guidelines IS helpful
for Eclipse.
Additional
Reading
- The bug that started it all, regarding
"Reset Perspective":
https://bugs.eclipse.org/bugs/show_bug.cgi?id=205521
- My blog entry on the subject:
http://dev.eclipse.org/blogs/kevinmcguire/2007/10/12/ellipsis-for-eclipses/
Summary
So the questions are:
- Did we correctly interpret the
Vista/XP guidelines?
- Should we always stick to the
Vista/XP guidelines in the absence of something Eclipse specific which
wouldn't be covered by them? (e.g. our view stacks)
- Or do we in this particular case
(and possibly future ones) pick the Apple guideline? Reasons for doing so
are that it matches more closely what we already do, or that its easier for
people to interpret.
Ladies and
gentlemen, the facts are before you. Your verdict?
Kevin
Bob Fraser
<bfraser@xxxxxxx> Sent
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04/28/2008 04:31 PM
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| [ui-best-practices-working-group]
Reminder: Conference Call: Wednesday, April 30th, 17:00 UTC or
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Conference Call: Wednesday, April 30th, 17:00 UTC or 10:00 PDT.
Call
613.287.8000 or 866.362.7064 passcode 892048#
Agenda so
far:
- Update on UI top ten "Don't do" list
- Discussion on use of
ellipses
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