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From: ** Sender Unknown **
Newsgroups: comp.windows.open-look
Subject: Re: Searching a scrolling list
Message-ID: <r9ktrv4@openlook.Unify.Com>
Date: 16 May 91 14:46:32 GMT
Lines: 64

> If the text field/list represent a single property value, then which
> control is aligned with the label --- text or list?
> 
> The central style problem is how best to make clear that the two controls are
> bound together and represent a single thing, not two things.

Here's how I *want* to do this:

   Label: [..] _________

The [..] is intended to be an abbreviated button (not abbreviated
menu button) that, when pressed, pops up window containing the
scrolling list. But we don't have this control in OLIT (oops),
so what I do instead is

   Label: ________ (Choices...)

The (Choices...) is an (oblong) button.

If you want to put the scrolling list in the same window as the
label and text field, then I suggest

                   ----------- [=]
   Label: ________ |         |  |
                   |         | [^]
                   |         | [ ]
                   |         | [v]
                   |         |  |
                   ----------- [=]

I think this (or something similar) is what you were looking
for. While my crude drawing above suggests having a 5-line
scrolling view, a shorter view (3 lines) would minimize
the real estate lost and reduce the visual ``noise'' (too many
text things yelling at the user--this is why I prefer putting
the scrolling list in a popup window). For a pleasing visual,
align the baselines of the label, textfield, and 1st item in
the scrolling list. Good luck, as we haven't added a way of
conveniently aligning baselines. (You pretty much have to use a
BulletinBoard if you go this far).

Finally, Frank Greco's suggestion of bounding the label, text field,
and scrolling list with a chiseled line or differently colored
background is OK. My preference is to not do that, as I think
the close proximity of the three elements suggests they work
together, and the many lines or ``patch-work quilt'' of colors
can distract the user. If you have a control area that has many
such sets of controls, then I guess the box or color is necessary,
to help the user sort out the multiple controls; but, gosh--maybe
the control area is simply too complicated and ought to be
redesigned (probably into a multiple Categories window, like
the OPEN LOOK workspace property sheet).

[Note: This is my opinion. Moreover, I do not mean to denigrate
Frank's suggestion.]

> If there is a OL Style Guide ruling on this issue, then I haven't been able to
> find it.

Kerry, I don't think the Style Guide covers this particular
case. My interpretations (interpolations?) are as above.

Steve Humphrey
UNIX System Laboratories