Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!mcsun!hp4nl!fwi.uva.nl!maarten
From: maarten@fwi.uva.nl (Maarten Carels)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.programmer
Subject: Should outlines be used on dimmed buttons?
Keywords: button user interface
Message-ID: <1136@carol.fwi.uva.nl>
Date: 11 Jul 90 16:52:33 GMT
Reply-To: maarten@fwi.uva.nl (Maarten Carels)
Organization: FWI, University of Amsterdam
Lines: 25


In writing a deskaccessory I came upon a question about Macintosh user
interface that the bible (IM) and the user interface book didn't answer.

The DA is supposed to lock up the mac until the correct password has been
typed. It displays a large modal dialog, stating that this mac can't be used
until the correct password has been typed. A TextEdit field is used to enter
the password (with bullets replacing the characters, so no-one can read the
password).
When no characters have been entered, the OK button is dimmed (greyed out).
What I don't know is whether the outline of the OK button should
- remain as normal (a black line around the button)
- be greyed out as well (so, a gray line around the button)
- should be removed from the dialog (so, no line around the button)

Perhaps one of the netguru's could enlighten me on this?

Please reply by mail, I'll summarize to the net.

--maarten
-- 
In real life:	Maarten Carels
		Computer Science Department
		University of Amsterdam
email:		maarten@fwi.uva.nl