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User interface style conventions

Selection

The following discuss selection methods.

Single select lists

The goal for single selection is to allow the user to make a selection, visually see that a selection was made, and then move on with the minimum number of keystrokes. The process of moving in the form (<Tab> or <Esc>) selects the item shown by an asterisk next to the item. The finalizing of the choice occurs when you leave the field. (Policy) (See Keyboard Mapping, <Esc>.) For single-select lists, Autoselect is turned ``on''.

Multiple-select lists

The goal of multiple-select lists is for a user to make multiple selections, visually see the marked selections, and then move on with the minimum number of keystrokes and with no ambiguity over what items are in fact selected. <Space> marks the selection, shown by an asterisk (*) next to each item selected. (Policy).

Drop-down lists (option menus & combo boxes)

Selecting from drop-down lists is similar to selecting a single object from a list. (Policy).


NOTE: Some of the drop-down list policy is being worked on and is therefore not yet implemented.

Toggle buttons

Toggling buttons is accomplished in one step for Radio buttons, and is performed the same way as single-select lists for check boxes. (Policy)

Radio buttons

For the user, this is similar to functionality for the drop-down list. Also, the asterisk moves with the arrow, which intuitively shows the item that is selected.

Check boxes

Selection highlighting

In list selection:

For drawn-list graphics and icons, do not translate the icons unless the information they convey is important. They are a convenient redundancy for the GUI version (shortcut to the examine attributes/properties command), but add confusion to the character interface.


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SCO OpenServer Release 6.0.0 - 02 June 2005