Re: gEDA: user interface issues

[Aaron K <aaron@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Stuart Brorson wrote:
> Aaron --
>
>
> > - Don't use the middle button for hardly anything. Number of reasons 
> > here, one of which is linux typically uses this to paste from the 
> > clipboard/kill ring, which would be acceptable. Also, if the application 
> > was to be run under windows using Cygwin, or whatever, it wouldn't be 
> > usable.
>
>
> Some of these are newbie issues.  You don't need to ever use the
> middle mouse button.  See below.
>
>
> > - Menu options that have command shortcuts should use the form 
> > Ctrl+<key> instead of a one-two letter combination.
>
>
> The two letter combo works great once you get used to it.  This is a
> newbie issue -- I felt the same way when I first tried out the
> program.  Later I decided that the two letter combo works great.

So, I guess this is my main point, which was also brought up by David, 
is that, this serves to only increase the barrier of entry. I wasn't 
necessarily arguing Ctrl+<key> is any better, its just what everyone 
expects (windows or not).

> > - Create standard operating cut/copy/paste (would probably eliminate the 
> > buffer menu and the 'copy mode' type usage).
>
>
> There are architectural reasons for this.
>
>
> > - Though not critical, I did notice it happening frequently: I would 
> > move or resize a component or net, and I'd have to manually go to 
> > View/Redraw to redraw a missing line or something. This option should 
> > not need to exist at all.
>
>
> Hmmm, this shouldn't happen.  What version of the program are you using?

I'm using gschem 20050820, on FC4/Athlon64, dual head setup. I can 
provide more info if it helps.

> > - I found the fairly simple act of moving components and nets difficult. 
> > This was primarily due to having to use the middle button. These types 
> > of operations should be seamless to anyone that has used a drawing 
> > program before.
>
>
> To move a net or component easily, do:
>
> 1.  Select the object my left clicking on it.
> 2.  Hit the "m" key.  Then the object will follow the cursor as you
> move the mouse.   
> 3.  When you wish to place the component in motion, hit the left mouse
> button. 
>
>
> > - If menu options indicate some current state (like, Options/Net Rubber 
> > Band), they should change depending on the state, for example, if the 
> > option is on, add a check mark next to the option.
> >
> > These are a few of the primary things I noticed that I think can easily 
> > turn people away from this program, and if fixed, will have a great 
> > value. Depending on how my search for other EDA tools goes, I may 
> > download the source and start fixing some of these myself.
>
>
> We welcome developers, and have discussed these user interface issues
> off and on over the years.  If you wish to make changes, please feel
> free to hack and submit patches.  Personally, I wouldn't mind it if
> you could just select a component with the left mouse button, and then
> drag it like in most Windoze programs.  This change wouldn't be hard
> to implement.  Want to give it a try?  I wouldn't want to remove the
> "select, type m, then move" action, but an additional action using the
> left mouse button wouldn't hurt.

I'll keep in my mind maintaining current operating modes when I work on 
the code.

> Stuart