[prev in list] [next in list] [prev in thread] [next in thread] 

List:       kde-look
Subject:    Re: UI feedback from a Linux newbie
From:       Alexander Di Nardo <eyyovsyr () umail ! corel ! com>
Date:       2000-04-24 18:12:01
[Download RAW message or body]

Magnus Ihse wrote:
> 
> On Mon, 17 Apr 2000, Tom Hoferek wrote:

> Actually, this is culturally biased. Here in Sweden, ticks are
> unusual, and the cross is the normal way to mark a check box on a
> paper form. It was just recently that I learnt that this isn't so in
> the US.
> 
> Clarification: ticks is just fine, they too are obvious to swedes
> (although they might feel a bit "foreign", just like your funny
> american mailboxes on the email programs ;-)), but the cross
> does definitely not have any negative connotations.


Interesting point on culture - It used to be that in Canada election
ballots were disqualified if not marked with a clear X ( apparently now
they accept any mark in a box - for those who can't spell X :-b ).
Using an X was always the accepted format for any type of form. This may
have changed in recent times, probably due to the new "feel good
self-esteem stroking" education system ... we can't have the letter X
with it's negative connotation traumatizing the kids ...

But seriously though, I think that any clear mark within an outline like
a square is a good indication that something has been enabled. What is
more important, however, is the clarity and consistency of the language
explaining what the user has just enabled. I always use a positive
imperative statement next to a check box. For example, I will write:
"Enable function abc", but never "Disable function abc". In doing so, I
never leave the user in a situation where he is confirming to not do
something. I hope that last sentence makes sense.

All in all, this is the kind of small but important detail that is
typically established in a common UI style sheet.

cheers,
Alex.
-- 
The address in the headers is not the poster's real email address.  Do not send
private mail to the poster using your mailer's "reply" feature.  CC's of mail 
to mailing lists are OK.  Problem reports to "postmaster@umail.corel.com".  
The poster's email address is "alexanderd@corel.com".

[prev in list] [next in list] [prev in thread] [next in thread]