From kde-usability  Mon Jun 10 23:21:49 2002
From: Gordon Tyler <gordon () doxxx ! net>
Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2002 23:21:49 +0000
To: kde-usability
Subject: Re: "Baloon" help
X-MARC-Message: https://marc.info/?l=kde-usability&m=102376566730136

On June 11, 2002 04:25 am, Troels Tolstrup wrote:
> I have put up two new versions (#8 and #9) which doesn't have an icon or
> titlebar. #8 doesnt even have a title, but #9 does.  I think #9 looks a
> bit odd though, maybe it should get a titelbar when it actually have a
> title?

I think the idea of making the title optional is good. It provides the 
programmer with flexibility as to how their particular tooltip looks while 
keeping to a generally consistent style.

Normal user feedback:

1. No icon is good.
2. Looks funny with a close button but no title (#11). So if no title, no 
close button.
3. If there is a title, it should have a background colour.

> Another problem i have run into is that i somehow doubt the meaning of
> the 2 links is obvious. I intend the more infomation link to be context
> specific, while the help one is help about the popup. I dont think this
> is obvious at all :(

How about this:

1. If the titlebar is showing, show a ? button which displays help about 
tooltips in general (although I think this kind of help is superfluous -- 
it's a tooltip, how much simpler does it get?).

2. "More information" link in the main text area, which is a context-specific 
signal to show more information about the subject of the tooltip. Note that I 
say "signal". It should ideally be a Qt signal which the user of the tooltip 
class can connect to a slot to do whatever they like -- show KHelpCenter, 
display a dialog, etc.

> I kinda also think it should maybe only be the button that closes and
> not a click as of not to confuse users.

The problem is that the X button is a small target and if you just want to get 
rid of the tooltip quickly, it's annoying and time-consuming to aim at this 
little button and instead of just whacking the tooltip.

So if I can relate this to your examples, I'm leaning towards #10 with a 
shorter "More information" link (still centered) and optionally a ? button if 
we decide to include help about tooltips in general.

Ciao,
Gordon
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