UI Style Guide Basics - Revision history

Steven Solie at 18:41, 21 April 2014

2014-04-21T18:41:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:41, 21 April 2014
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	{{Note\|text=The GUI is the Amiga's default interface.}}		{{Note\|text=The GUI is the Amiga's default interface.}}

	With Release 2 of the operating system came a third way of interfacing with the Amiga: inter-process communication (IPC) via ARexx. Simply put, ARexx is a scripting language, but it also acts as a central hub which applications can use to send data and commands to each other. ARexx allows software created by different companies to interface, letting the user create custom applications by integrating off-the-shelf software products. For example, with ARexx it is possible to set up a telecommunications package to dial an electronic bulletin board, download financial data, and then pass that data to a separate spreadsheet package for statistical analysis - without user ~~intrevention~~ other than the original scripting. Arexx is based on REXX, an IPC language used in various forms across many platforms.		With Release 2 of the operating system came a third way of interfacing with the Amiga: inter-process communication (IPC) via ARexx. Simply put, ARexx is a scripting language, but it also acts as a central hub which applications can use to send data and commands to each other. ARexx allows software created by different companies to interface, letting the user create custom applications by integrating off-the-shelf software products. For example, with ARexx it is possible to set up a telecommunications package to dial an electronic bulletin board, download financial data, and then pass that data to a separate spreadsheet package for statistical analysis - without user intervention other than the original scripting. Arexx is based on REXX, an IPC language used in various forms across many platforms.

	Many users consider the choice of interface to be one of the best features of the Amiga. Not only does it offer the user the freedom to choose his favorite means of interacting with the Amiga and with your program, it's also an effective way to provide the right tool for the job and user's level of expertise. For these reasons, your application should support all three interfaces in the manner described in this manual.		Many users consider the choice of interface to be one of the best features of the Amiga. Not only does it offer the user the freedom to choose his favorite means of interacting with the Amiga and with your program, it's also an effective way to provide the right tool for the job and user's level of expertise. For these reasons, your application should support all three interfaces in the manner described in this manual.
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	[[File:Style2.5.png\|center]]		[[File:Style2.5.png\|center]]

	The selection button (the left mouse button) selects or operates gadgets, icons, windows and screens. It can also be used to select special objects unique to your application (eg. the note object in a music package) or to set the pen "down" in a drawing operation.		The selection button (the left mouse button) selects or operates gadgets, icons, windows and screens. It can also be used to select special objects unique to your application (e.g. the note object in a music package) or to set the pen "down" in a drawing operation.

	The menu button (the right mouse button) actives the menu system and allows the user to choose a menu item. The menu button may also be used to abort a selection button operation. For example, the user is dragging a window around by holding down the selection button and moving the mouse. If he decides that this action was a mistake and wants the window back where it was originally, he can press the menu button and the window should snap back to its original position.		The menu button (the right mouse button) actives the menu system and allows the user to choose a menu item. The menu button may also be used to abort a selection button operation. For example, the user is dragging a window around by holding down the selection button and moving the mouse. If he decides that this action was a mistake and wants the window back where it was originally, he can press the menu button and the window should snap back to its original position.

Philippe Ferrucci: /* The Pointer */

2013-05-24T21:40:49Z

The Pointer

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:40, 24 May 2013
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	The default pointer looks like this:		The default pointer looks like this:

	~~Fig 2~~.7: The default pointer with a superimposed pixel grid.		[[File:Pointer.png\|left\|The default pointer with a superimposed pixel grid]]

	Your application can use a custom pointer instead of the standard. The arrangement of color intensity in your custom pointer should be consistent with that of the standard pointer - especially since two different applications can share the same screen.		Your application can use a custom pointer instead of the standard. The arrangement of color intensity in your custom pointer should be consistent with that of the standard pointer - especially since two different applications can share the same screen.
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	Currently the wait pointer used by Workbench is not accessible by developers. Shown here is a pixel-by-pixel view of Workbench's wait pointer if you want to make yours look similar.		Currently the wait pointer used by Workbench is not accessible by developers. Shown here is a pixel-by-pixel view of Workbench's wait pointer if you want to make yours look similar.

	~~Fig 2~~.8: Workbench's wait pointer with a superimposed pixel grid.		[[File:BusyPointer.png\|center\|Workbench's wait pointer with a superimposed pixel grid]]

	If the wait is for a measured amount of work, such as in a ray-tracing program, your application should provide a requester that shows the progress of the activity. The progress requester should have a gadget on it allowing the user to stop the activity.		If the wait is for a measured amount of work, such as in a ray-tracing program, your application should provide a requester that shows the progress of the activity. The progress requester should have a gadget on it allowing the user to stop the activity.

Philippe Ferrucci: /* Dragging */

2013-05-24T13:23:01Z

Dragging

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:23, 24 May 2013
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	A good example of contiguous dragging can be found in a word processor. The user clicks on a letter then, without releasing the selection button, moves the cursor somewhere else in the text. The first letter he clicked on becomes the "anchor" point and all the text between the anchor point and the point where the selection button was released should be highlighted. The highlighted text is now a selected group.		A good example of contiguous dragging can be found in a word processor. The user clicks on a letter then, without releasing the selection button, moves the cursor somewhere else in the text. The first letter he clicked on becomes the "anchor" point and all the text between the anchor point and the point where the selection button was released should be highlighted. The highlighted text is now a selected group.

⚫	Objects can also be grouped contiguously by the use of the marquee. When the mouse is dragged on Workbench, for example, an animated dotted line, the marquee, marks the area covered by the mouse. All the icons within the marquee will be selected.

	[[File:Workbench-marquee.PNG\|thumb\|left\|Grouping by using the marquee]]		[[File:Workbench-marquee.PNG\|thumb\|left\|Grouping by using the marquee]]

		⚫	Objects can also be grouped contiguously by the use of the marquee. When the mouse is dragged on Workbench, for example, an animated dotted line, the marquee, marks the area covered by the mouse. All the icons within the marquee will be selected.

	Less common is non-contiguous dragging. One example of this is a program that allows the user to drag select a section of text and then deselect individual lines by clicking on them. The deselected line can be in between two selected lines.		Less common is non-contiguous dragging. One example of this is a program that allows the user to drag select a section of text and then deselect individual lines by clicking on them. The deselected line can be in between two selected lines.

Philippe Ferrucci: /* Dragging */

2013-05-24T13:22:42Z

Dragging

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:22, 24 May 2013
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	Objects can also be grouped contiguously by the use of the marquee. When the mouse is dragged on Workbench, for example, an animated dotted line, the marquee, marks the area covered by the mouse. All the icons within the marquee will be selected.		Objects can also be grouped contiguously by the use of the marquee. When the mouse is dragged on Workbench, for example, an animated dotted line, the marquee, marks the area covered by the mouse. All the icons within the marquee will be selected.

	[[File:Workbench-marquee.PNG~~\|200px~~\|thumb\|left\|Grouping by using the marquee]]		[[File:Workbench-marquee.PNG\|thumb\|left\|Grouping by using the marquee]]

	Less common is non-contiguous dragging. One example of this is a program that allows the user to drag select a section of text and then deselect individual lines by clicking on them. The deselected line can be in between two selected lines.		Less common is non-contiguous dragging. One example of this is a program that allows the user to drag select a section of text and then deselect individual lines by clicking on them. The deselected line can be in between two selected lines.

Philippe Ferrucci: /* Dragging */

2013-05-24T13:22:01Z

Dragging

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:22, 24 May 2013
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	Objects can also be grouped contiguously by the use of the marquee. When the mouse is dragged on Workbench, for example, an animated dotted line, the marquee, marks the area covered by the mouse. All the icons within the marquee will be selected.		Objects can also be grouped contiguously by the use of the marquee. When the mouse is dragged on Workbench, for example, an animated dotted line, the marquee, marks the area covered by the mouse. All the icons within the marquee will be selected.

	~~Fig 2~~.6: Grouping by using the marquee.		[[File:Workbench-marquee.PNG\|200px\|thumb\|left\|Grouping by using the marquee]]

	Less common is non-contiguous dragging. One example of this is a program that allows the user to drag select a section of text and then deselect individual lines by clicking on them. The deselected line can be in between two selected lines.		Less common is non-contiguous dragging. One example of this is a program that allows the user to drag select a section of text and then deselect individual lines by clicking on them. The deselected line can be in between two selected lines.

Philippe Ferrucci: /* Shift Selecting */

2013-05-02T08:31:34Z

Shift Selecting

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:31, 2 May 2013
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	==== Shift Selecting ====		==== Shift Selecting ====

	In some instances, a user can select more than one item at once by using shift selection. The user clicks on an item with the selection button. While holding the Shift key down, the user can then select any number of objects. The result is called a ~~@{i}~~selected group~~@{ui}~~. Some		In some instances, a user can select more than one item at once by using shift selection. The user clicks on an item with the selection button. While holding the Shift key down, the user can then select any number of objects. The result is called a '''selected group'''. Some
	examples of objects that could be grouped are: columnar text boxes in a DTP program, notes in a music program and text items in a list.		examples of objects that could be grouped are: columnar text boxes in a DTP program, notes in a music program and text items in a list.

Philippe Ferrucci: /* Some Basics */

2013-05-02T08:19:40Z

Some Basics

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:19, 2 May 2013
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	The Amiga is a true multitasking system with three built-in interfaces:		The Amiga is a true multitasking system with three built-in interfaces:

	* a graphic user interface (GUI);		* a graphic user interface (GUI) (the Workbench);

	* a command line interface [CLI] (the Shell);		* a command line interface [CLI] (the Shell);

Philippe Ferrucci: /* The Mouse */

2013-05-01T10:14:12Z

The Mouse

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:14, 1 May 2013
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	The standard Amiga mouse has two buttons: the selection button (left) and the menu button (right). A scroll wheel acts as a middle button as well as vertical scrolling.		The standard Amiga mouse has two buttons: the selection button (left) and the menu button (right). A scroll wheel acts as a middle button as well as vertical scrolling.

			[[File:Style2.5.png\|center]]


	The selection button (the left mouse button) selects or operates gadgets, icons, windows and screens. It can also be used to select special objects unique to your application (eg. the note object in a music package) or to set the pen "down" in a drawing operation.		The selection button (the left mouse button) selects or operates gadgets, icons, windows and screens. It can also be used to select special objects unique to your application (eg. the note object in a music package) or to set the pen "down" in a drawing operation.

Philippe Ferrucci: /* The Mouse */

2013-05-01T10:13:54Z

The Mouse

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:13, 1 May 2013
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	The standard Amiga mouse has two buttons: the selection button (left) and the menu button (right). A scroll wheel acts as a middle button as well as vertical scrolling.		The standard Amiga mouse has two buttons: the selection button (left) and the menu button (right). A scroll wheel acts as a middle button as well as vertical scrolling.


	[[File:Style2.5.png\|center]]

	The selection button (the left mouse button) selects or operates gadgets, icons, windows and screens. It can also be used to select special objects unique to your application (eg. the note object in a music package) or to set the pen "down" in a drawing operation.		The selection button (the left mouse button) selects or operates gadgets, icons, windows and screens. It can also be used to select special objects unique to your application (eg. the note object in a music package) or to set the pen "down" in a drawing operation.

Steven Solie: /* The Mouse */

2013-04-30T19:08:48Z

The Mouse

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:08, 30 April 2013
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	The standard Amiga mouse has two buttons: the selection button (left) and the menu button (right). A scroll wheel acts as a middle button as well as vertical scrolling.		The standard Amiga mouse has two buttons: the selection button (left) and the menu button (right). A scroll wheel acts as a middle button as well as vertical scrolling.

	[[File:Style2.5.jpg\|center]]

	[[File:Style2.5.png\|center]]		[[File:Style2.5.png\|center]]