[Dxbase] [DxBase] DxBase Desk Top Concept

Tue Dec 21 10:14:19 EST 2010

I feel I must agree with Mr. Pelham.

On 12/21/10 10:10 AM, "John Pelham" <john at radiophile.com> wrote:

> Neal,
> 
> So many opinions on one side of this issue, so I too have to weigh in. Way
> back in 2002, and then again in 2003, I said this on this reflector:
> 
> " I would like DXbase windows to work like Macromedia Dreamweaver or Adobe
> Photoshop or Microsoft Visual Basic.  That is, I want all the windows that
> make up the program to float on my screen with my desktop underneath, and
> not need to stay inside the main DXbase window.  In this scenario the main
> DX base window would just be a menu bar."
> 
> When DXbase for Windows first came out I was annoyed at all the space wasted
> by each window having its own full size title bar, and the fiddly difficulty
> of arranging the windows I wanted on-screen most efficiently inside a
> rectangular space, and having to go through that process each time I
> upgraded the software and each time I upgraded my PC and each time I needed
> to reinstall from scratch for whatever reason.
> 
> Thinking about this issue again, I realize: Why would it be necessary to
> choose one approach over another? The logging program CommCat allows the
> user to select whether he wants windows to float or to be constrained inside
> the main window. (Unfortunately it doesn't allow this choice for all the
> program's windows, just some.) Adobe Photoshop allows most of its windows to
> be placed anywhere on the monitor (or multiple monitors) and it remembers
> everything - all window positions, docking selections, etc. So, it's
> possible to "pretend" that all the windows must go inside the main window
> just by making the main window big, and putting all the child windows
> inside. You don't ever have to know that you can have floating windows if
> you don't want to.
> 
> I'm tired of looking at a user interface that looks like it was designed for
> Windows 3.1. The newer UIs  and functionalities don't just look pretty, they
> work better too.
> 
> 73,
> John, W1JA
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: dxbase-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:dxbase-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
> On Behalf Of Merv Schweigert
> Sent: Tuesday, 21 December 2010 9:00 AM
> To: dxbase at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Dxbase] [DxBase] DxBase Desk Top Concept
> 
>   I dont usually jump into the pile with my opinion, but going to have to
> side with Rick and Ron,  the current type screen system for DXbase is one of
> the reasons I use it,  I have many other logging programs and while several
> do as well as DXbase none have the screen features that I prefer, so if it
> changes to "floating" which I also hate then there is
> no longer incentive to stay with DXbase,   too many
> others for free. (that I dont like either)
> 73 Merv K9FD /  KH7C
>> Neal,
>> 
>> I agree with Rick's email below.  The screen system Jack developed is
>> a major feature of DxBase; one I would consider a major requirement
>> and feature of DxBase.  I have to work with software at work with
>> floating screens, and hate it.  It's a major selling point of DxBase for
> me.
>> 
>> 
>> Ron  / NU1U
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: dxbase-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>> [mailto:dxbase-bounces at mailman.qth.net]
>> On Behalf Of Rick Kourey
>> Sent: Monday, December 20, 2010 11:45 PM
>> To: Neal Campbell
>> Cc: dxbase at mailman.qth.net
>> Subject: [Dxbase] DXBase Desk Top Concept
>> 
>> Neal,
>> 
>> I am unable to visualize the screens you have proposed in your last email.
>> But one of the things a number of us has liked about DXBase 2007 is
>> its simpe GUI with all information being shown in different panes that
>> come together in one large desk top pane that fits on screen.  Please,
>> please don' t change this concept and have floating screens on top of
>> each other that fit nowhere.
>> 
>> I encourage you to continue to use the concept that Jack developed and
>> that is having the user select additional informational panes that are
>> listed under the "DX Info" screen (i.e. spots, messages, grey line
>> etc.).  You could add to this existing list and then place another
>> choice of panes under the "QSL Info" screen.
>> 
>> The point is everything really fits on the desk top and nothing is
>> really floating unless the user wants it this way.  I have other log
>> programs where the screens do not fit totally on the desk top and they
>> float.  I will not use these log programs since the floating screens
>> often hide other pertinent data and all I seem to do is move the
>> screens around so I can see the data I want.
>> 
>> Unfortunately if you have not designed the next generation screen set,
>> what I think I am reading in your comments is you are not very far
>> along with its feature design or programming.
>> 
>> Rick Kourey (K4KL)
>> Marvin/Charlotte, NC
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Hi guys
>> 
>> Sri abt the absence on the list, my computer business is having one
>> heck of a final kick this month and I have been 7 S 12 for the last 3
> weeks.
>> 
>> I can tell you that you will know when a beta test phase is imminent
>> (and its not). While there is a lot from the Updater that was snagged
>> from the beta, you could tell how slowly I turned the Updater around
>> so its obvious I am one incredibly slow programmer. What I thought
>> would take 1-2 weeks took
>> 2 months (for stealing time away from my business). Thats a factor of
>> four in case you missed my estimation talent.
>> 
>> I should not have put a deadline before and I won't make the mistake
> again.
>> 
>> 
>> I will take the suggestion of the gentlemen who ruffled my feathers a
>> few months ago, however, and publish some pictures of the user
>> interface for comment. There are 3 different philosophies on how the
>> UI can look. One is to merely break out  the current scheme which limits
> the information 'panes'
>> to residing within the overall program window. So, total floatable
>> windows on the desktop. Second is to make it look similar to, say,
>> DM780 from Ham Radio Deluxe's package where its one big window but the
>> panes are collapse-able and pin-able and usage of tabs for large displays.
>> Additionally, this approach lets you re-arrange the one big window to
>> see which panes you like in which side/corner of the window. The third
>> is a task/menu approach similar to the latest Microsoft Office. No
>> 'ribbon' but the tabbed menu approach. I have been doing a lot of work
>> with Access 2010 and can tell you I really like the way it looks and
> feels.
>> 
>> Its hard to visualize these (its hard to describe them) so a few
>> pictures will help to judge your reactions.
>> 
>> So, no new dates but hopefully a bit more transparency into my progress.
>> 
>> 73
>> Neal Campbell
>> Abroham Neal Software
>> www.abrohamnealsoftware.com
>> (540) 645 5394
>> 
>> 
>> 
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