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List:       kde-core-devel
Subject:    Re: [PATCH]: Only ask for root password if necessary.
From:       Waldo Bastian <bastian () kde ! org>
Date:       2002-03-03 23:57:16
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On Sunday 03 March 2002 01:48 pm, Thomas Zander wrote:
> On Sun, Mar 03, 2002 at 03:32:42PM +0000, Chris Howells wrote:
> > This patch ensures that the "Root Password" QLable and password entry
> > lineedit are only shown if only root is allowed to shut down the machine.
>
> Please don't change the GUI based on options elsewere.  This is a basic
> rule that can be followed in 90% percent of the cases.
>
> You might reason that this dialog does not allow the user to change the way
> a box is shutdown; but _knowning_ it can change, since it is disabled will
> allow the user to search for the option if he wants to change it. Even when
> it is not in this dialog.

Well, it's equally bad to have a disabled field in a dialog without making it 
it clear why it is disabled.

You say "it will allow the user to search for the option". That's exactly the 
problem. Users shouldn't have to search.

Apart from that, there are cases where this (disabled) option makes absolutely 
no sense. If KDE runs as part of a large installation and you have no root 
access, then having that disabled option there does not help you in any way. 
It would be unnecassery confusing in that case.

Cheers,
Waldo
-- 
Advanced technology only happens when people take a basic idea and add to it.
 -- Bob Bemer

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