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List:       kde-commits
Subject:    Re: kdelibs/kdeui
From:       Ravikiran Rajagopal <ravi () ee ! eng ! ohio-state ! edu>
Date:       2003-09-17 16:01:45
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On Wednesday 17 September 2003 11:40 am, Nadeem Hasan wrote:
> > It's your personal preference to see a combo box. Seems we need somebody
> > else to decide whose arguments are better.
>
> I think as a maintainer of that class I have 2 votes, no?

All other things being equal, yes. However, this is a usability issue. 
Usability comes first (yes, even before aesthetics):

1. From the Gnome HIG (no flames please, they have done great work with that 
for the most part):
 "Only use a combo box instead of a list, option menu or radio button group 
when it is important that the user be able to enter a new value that is not 
already amongst the list of pre-defined choices."
Source: http://developer.gnome.org/projects/gup/hig/1.0/controls.htm

2. Like Ian said earlier in his blog, most users should have options staring 
them in the face, if possible. Apple, for example, uses comboboxes only if 
there is insufficient space for a listbox (regardless of whether it is 
editable).

> Other than that, is it your opinion that a combo box should always be
> replaced by a list box when its not editable? Then first go and change it
> everywhere else in KDE.

UI design mistakes in other places are changed only as time permits. There is 
no reason for acrimony here. As a user with carpal tunnel syndrome, I can 
guarantee that saving one click is not insignificant.

Regards,
Ravi

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