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List:       kde-usability
Subject:    Re: Logout Dialog
From:       Alexander Neundorf <neundorf () kde ! org>
Date:       2004-11-15 22:37:18
Message-ID: 200411152337.18881.neundorf () kde ! org
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On Monday 15 November 2004 23:20, Celeste Paul wrote:
> > To be honest, I don't understand why "Logout", "Shutdown" and "Restart"
> > are considered more usable than "end current session", "turn off
> > computer" and "restart computer". The second (long) version is IMHO less
> > technical and even describes better what will happen: when running kde
> > without kdm/gdm, logging out from kde will just "end the current
> > session", it will not really "logout". Also "turn off computer" is better
> > to understand than "shutdown", which is IMO quite technical. Also
> > "Restart computer" is less ambigous than "Restart" (the computer, KDE, X
> > ?).
>
> since our current HIG does not address labeling issues I will quote the
> GNOME HIG:
>
> "Button Phrasing. Write button labels as imperative verbs, for example
> Save, Print. This allows users to select an action with less hesitation. An
> active phrase also fits best with the button's role in initiating actions,
> as contrasted with a more passive phrase. For example Find and Log In are
> better buttons than than Yes and OK."

"Turn off something" is also an imperative acion (verb followed by an object), 
as opposed to "Yes" and "Ok"

> its KISS.  a longer description leaves room for more interpretation and
> more confusion.  

Sorry, I don't understand this.
Where does "turn off computer" leave more room for interpretation ?
It defines the action ("Turn off") and the object ("computer"). It doesn't 
define the time ("now" is implicitely assumed) and it doesn't define the 
locality (well, the current box is assumed).
"Shutdown" only defines an action and leaves all the rest undefined.
The least "room for interpretation" you would get with "Turn off this computer 
now !"

...
> The logout dialog needs to accomodate all levels of users.  Newer users
> might not understand what a "session" is but understand logging out will
> close KDE.  when used with KDM, this will also log them out.
Ok, "session" is about the same level as "logout". Nevertheless "logout" is 
sometimes (for me 100%) technically incorrect (while at least IMO not easier 
to understand than "end current session").

Admittedly the long versions sound much less technical and much more informal, 
but I think this is actually a good thing.

Bye
Alex
-- 
Work: alexander.neundorf@jenoptik.com - http://www.jenoptik-los.de
Home: neundorf@kde.org                - http://www.kde.org
      alex@neundorf.net               - http://www.neundorf.net
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