[Dxbase] [DxBase] DxBase Desk Top Concept

Tue Dec 21 10:18:36 EST 2010

I also agree with mr pelham.
Paul - n1pd

On Dec 21, 2010, at 10:14 AM, MICHAEL ANASCAVAGE wrote:

> 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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>> 
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> 
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