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List:       kde-look
Subject:    Re: Crypto status indicator [ was Re: Konqueror tool bars ]
From:       Edoardo Causarano <curious.corn () katamail ! com>
Date:       2002-09-26 13:31:05
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On Wednesday 25 September 2002 20:59, Steven D'Aprano wrote:

> What does cryptography status of the connection have to do with
> Konquorer tool bars? If you want to change the subject (and so urgently
> too, with your big "Whoa!") perhaps you could start a new thread,
> rather than derail an existing one.

Sorry for the out-of-subject excursus, it just flashed reading Eric's email. 
It repeatedly mentioned the UR corner K and that did it.

> I'm not convinced. Padlocks imply security. K does not imply security.
> So why turn the K into a padlock if there is already a perfectly good
> padlock in the toolbar? I'd like to hear your reasons.

The padlock in the toolbar is bad: it's a status feedback amongst tool 
buttons. The user groups the toolbar as a place to look at when manipulating 
the page.

Because the rotating K is a mostly unused screen estate and it has no real use 
(page DL status is reported in the status bar) other than display a cool 
graphic and brand the browser (the good 'ol N). Making it a more informative 
interface on the browser's status would be useful and save a couple of 
pixels. Think of it like: "Konqueror wants to telly you something thingie" 
Scenario:
User sends unencripted data: 
	Today-> Popup ([x] never show this again)
	Tomorrow-> Popup ([x] just notify me). 
I always disable the popup because many weblogins are unencrypted and it 
quickly becomes a nuisance; but keeping an interface that unobtrusively feeds 
back this info would be good (a red ! overlay for 2 sec comes to mind).
It could be extended to notify cookie transactions with an up-down arrow+paper 
scroll (the js icon is there already) overlay color coded if x-domain or, 
color blind people in mind :a bent up-down arrow; or blocking (using a 
nopark+scroll overlay)
 >     |
/        \
|         > 
And finally the padlock for SSL operations.

In the end use it for the semi-interactive feedback that M$ stuck in the 
status bar (which from a UI pov is wrong, the gurus say).
Taking it to extremes, one could trap popups and setup a queue (Konq specific) 
with an RMB menu showing last n-signals (icon - popup caption); the selection 
would release the popup to foreground and let the user deal with it.

> > and proposed to frame the page in a red widget but it might suck.
>
> Definitely would suck, especially for people who are colour-blind.
>
> > The transition from ordinary K to Padlock and viceversa could
> > come with a little flash thus capturing the user attention (overall
> > unobtrusive but noticeable when it needs to be)
>
> I'd need to see a demo before commenting on this.

Sorry for the out-of-subject excursus, it just flashed reading Eric's email: 
it repeatedly mentioned the UR corner K and that did it.

Ciao,
Eddy

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