Check/Radio buttons [was Re: 1.2 theme properties / 2.0 default theme]

[Owen Taylor <otaylor redhat com>]

Calum Benson <calum benson ireland sun com> writes:

> Joel Becker wrote:
> 
> >         I have a personal bias against the win9x-style radio/check
> > buttons, so I'm gonna have to prefer the ones proposed by Arlo.
> 
> Me too; Windows-style checkboxes share more visual style with a text box
> than a button, for no particular reason other than a poor design
> decision when Microsoft moved from the flat style of 3.1 to the 3D style
> of Win95, I suspect.

The feeling that check/radio buttons should look like buttons is
a fairly common one. A lot of people consider it the logical
appearance.

The arguments that I know against it are:

 - People coming from Windows have familiarity with the Windows
   scheme.

 - Having check/radio buttons share a color scheme and appearance
   with entries makes interfaces look more attractive; since
   the entry background color is present in more places to
   tie things together.

 - Unlike most other ways of drawing things, there is a fairly
   obvious physical interpretation of the Windows style. Especially
   for the check, where we are used to checks is drawn on
   a piece of paper.

> Maybe the gradient is a bit much, but it has a 'prettier' look with 
> the raised grey, and is as easy, if not easier, to hit. 

[...]

> I'm not mad on the gradient either, but it would be interesting to see
> what a selected radio button would look like if its gradient was
> reversed-- i.e. to make it look as though it was pushed-in.  (Yes, I
> know I could just try it myself in GIMP, but I don't have the energy
> right now!)

It would look a lot like the current GTK+ buttons - there wouldn't
be enough visual distinction with the small area. You need to add
some sort of extra indicator in the active state.

One common technique, which I believe comes from the NeXT is to draw
them like buttons when unselected, and in a style like the windows
style when selected. I think this is pretty bizarre looking, but
it may be effective.

Another techique is to draw some sort of check floating over the
button when selected. This also looks bizzare to me, but also
may be effective. This is essentially the techninque that Arlo
used in his mockup.

Regards,
                                        Owen