RE: An alternative proposal for instant-apply vs. non-instant-apply

["Erik Pukinskis" <erikthelephant hotmail com>]

> 1) System settings dialog boxes  
> 2) Object property dialogs which have immediate visual effects

Traditionally, dialogs are classified as modal or modeless... if we spit
things up again as Adam has specified, we have:

1) Modeless dialogs, like the palettes in Photoshop.  These generally
operate on the document itself.  Adobe makes it obvious it's instant
apply by making the controls miniaturized and closer together.  This
says to the user "we expect you to leave this open."

2) Modal dialogs affecting the document, like the format font dialog in
your favorite word processor.  

3) Modal dialogs affecting settings.  These obviously need some sort of
OK/Close/Done button as they are the only sign that the checkbox you
checked will take effect.

My gut feeling is that some sort of OK/Close/Done button is pretty much
required for all Modal dialogs no matter whether they are instant-apply
or whatever they affect.  I worry that without cues like the ones Adobe
uses, users won't know what to do after they make their changes,
especially if they miss (for whatever reason) the fact that the change
occurred.

> an "Undo" button should
> probably be present

How do you notify the user what was undone?  A check re-appearing in a
checkbox will hardly draw their attention.  If they miss it and keep
clicking undo, they could undo other settings and become confused.  As
someone else mentioned, how does the user know what will be undone?

Of course, this is all speculation.  User testing is the only real
solution.  Since it's doubtful anyone will be able to thoroughly test
this fast enough for 2.0, it might make sense just to go w/ the status
quo.

Of course, for pie in the sky discussion I'd like the throw back in to
the mix the option of "rolling back" settings.  You click a button and
select from a list whether you wanted to go back to the settings as they
stood five minutes ago, an hour ago, yesterday, last week, or choose a
specific day/time.  

-Erik

__________________________________________________
Manage your Hotmail with ANY email application:
Get Pop3Hot at <http://pop3hot.com/main.htm>