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List:       kde-usability
Subject:    Re: kdebase/kcontrol/background
From:       "Aaron J. Seigo" <aseigo () olympusproject ! org>
Date:       2002-08-26 16:33:19
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On Saturday 24 August 2002 09:54, Stephan Binner wrote:
> Aaron J. Seigo wrote:
> > I don't think that it's obvious that the first combo box controls "Common
> > background" feature. Can't see where is this a usability improvement. :-(
> > any suggestions?
>
> Readd "Common background" checkbox, disable combobox and set text to "All
> Desktops" (or perhaps replace it with "All Desktops" label) when activated.
>
> > i would suggest changing it from:
> >  Setting for desktop: [ All Desktops ]
> > to
> >  Settings for: [ All Desktops ]
>
> This doesn't change "1 of x combobox settings activates a mode" stupidity.

the problem is that this isn't a job for a checkbox, really. think about it: 
you have a checkbox that is checked when you want all desktops to be the 
same. when it is unchecked the combobox becomes active and lets you pick your 
actual setting!

radio buttons are probably more appropriate than a checkbox.

except that "All Desktops" and "Desktop 1", "Desktop 2", "Desktop N" are all 
mutually exclusive options for the same setting and are even from the same 
context (namely: which desktop?)

what IS confusing it that if you go to "All Desktops" and make some settings 
that when you go back to "Desktop 1", it has the old settings for Desktop 1 
(whatever those were). this breaks the interface illusion that you just set 
the options for all desktops.

now, i'm all for checbkoxes that control a state and then sub-widgets that 
allow you to refine the behaviour, but that isn't what is happening here. the 
distinction between "All" and "this specific desktop" is artificial.

- -- 
Aaron J. Seigo
GPG Fingerprint: 8B8B 2209 0C6F 7C47 B1EA  EE75 D6B7 2EB1 A7F1 DB43

"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler"
    - Albert Einstein
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