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Survey (Maximize It?)

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    Survey (Maximize It?)

    I would like to know what others think about app. design using mostly maximized forms, including the startup form, from the standpoint of what you think your end-users prefer? Please feel free to comment or just say, Supersize It! Thanks in advance.

    Tom Scholis

    #2
    RE: Survey (Maximize It?)

    I maximize to utilize the ENTIRE screen...

    Comment


      #3
      RE: Survey (Maximize It?)

      Maximize all the main screens where the business gets done, dialog box the little ones such as a peek at background detail, or full detail of customer address from an invioice screen.

      Never use stacked windows - I have a menu that opens a form and automatically closes the one you left so you don't accumulate a collection of open windows. This way the info is fresh and current on each opening.

      Comment


        #4
        RE: Survey (Maximize It?)

        I agree - maximized looks best and utilizes the screen better.

        Comment


          #5
          RE: Survey (Maximize It?)

          I maximize all my screens, closing the previous screen.

          Comment


            #6
            RE: Survey (Maximize It?)

            Tom,

            I don't buy the maximize arguments others have put forth. I believe that a user should have a choice based upon how he works, not how you want him to work. As a minimum, have a user settable choice.

            My applications all start out in maximize mode on their first use, but after that it is whatever it was last. Most forms (with a few exceptions) inherit the state of the window that invoked it. If the screen is windowed, it even remains sticky to the last place and size (unless it would totally be off screen). Upon exit, the screen remembers it's state and is saved for when it is opened in the future. How I do that, I'll call a trade secret for now, but it's all done within A5.

            To paraphrase a quote;

            Your obligation is to the users, The Users, THE USERS! That has to be your responsibility, the only reason for programming!

            (Free kudos to someone who can tell me what Movie that is paraphrasing and who says it.)

            Regards,

            Ira J. Perlow
            Computer Systems Design & Associates
            [email protected]
            Regards,

            Ira J. Perlow
            Computer Systems Design


            CSDA A5 Products
            New - Free CSDA DiagInfo - v1.39, 30 Apr 2013
            CSDA Barcode Functions

            CSDA Code Utility
            CSDA Screen Capture


            Comment


              #7
              RE: Survey (Maximize It?)

              We make all the forms as small as possible so more of them can show at the same time. No telling when the user has to stop this to look up that and she may well need five or six tasks active at once. Some of the entry forms that require several references are opened with the the entry+reference+reference filling the screen.

              That's why Controlpanel.hide() needs fixing.

              Comment


                #8
                RE: Survey (Maximize It?)

                I use maximized forms - dialogs, array, etc for the rest.
                Cole Custom Programming - Terrell, Texas
                972 524 8714
                [email protected]

                ____________________
                "A young man who is not liberal has no heart, but an old man who is not conservative has no mind." GB Shaw

                Comment


                  #9
                  RE: Survey (Maximize It?)

                  Same here. -- tom

                  Comment


                    #10
                    RE: Survey (Maximize It?)

                    I side with Ira.

                    - Steve
                    -Steve
                    sigpic

                    Comment


                      #11
                      RE: Survey (Maximize It?)

                      Steve,

                      Are we allowed to be on the same side? Does this mean I have to change what I was saying? (to paraphase another joke, If you have 6 programmers in a room, you have at least 7 ways to program something!)

                      And, how many Alpha 5 programmers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
                      None. They'll wait for the server version and have the "Server" do it for them.

                      :?)

                      Ira
                      Regards,

                      Ira J. Perlow
                      Computer Systems Design


                      CSDA A5 Products
                      New - Free CSDA DiagInfo - v1.39, 30 Apr 2013
                      CSDA Barcode Functions

                      CSDA Code Utility
                      CSDA Screen Capture


                      Comment


                        #12
                        RE: Survey (Maximize It?)

                        Alternate version:

                        How many Alpha 5 programmers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
                        None. It's a hardware issue.

                        Bill
                        Bill Hanigsberg

                        Comment


                          #13
                          RE: Survey (Maximize It?)

                          A Clockwork Orange?
                          There can be only one.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            RE: Survey (Maximize It?)

                            Brahhgg!!! Wrong Answer, Hans. Would you like to try for Double Jepoardy where the scores can really change? (John Mclean/Bruce Willis in Die Hard)

                            --Ira
                            Regards,

                            Ira J. Perlow
                            Computer Systems Design


                            CSDA A5 Products
                            New - Free CSDA DiagInfo - v1.39, 30 Apr 2013
                            CSDA Barcode Functions

                            CSDA Code Utility
                            CSDA Screen Capture


                            Comment


                              #15
                              RE: Survey (Maximize It?)

                              Tom, Here goes! Maximized is the only way to go if your planning on marketing an app. Before everyone piles up on me let me explain. If you are writting an app for your own office and can trust everyone using to do what they have been told then Ira's opinion makes allot of sense. On the other hand if your app will be put into the hands of strangers who should not have access to certain areas of your app, or if your app absolutely requires a button to be pushed to exit a form in order to clean up any data manipulation that is absolutly required, you DO NOT want forms to have the option to be sized or closed. Quoting my partner Tom Hlavin, "An inexperienced application user can out maneuver even the most skilled programmer any day of the week!" If your user can size your forms they can very easily size the close button completly out of veiw. Why not maximize all of your forms and use popups when it absolutely has to be there on time? If all users would read and follow the directions supplied with the app life would really be great, but, Oh Well? Are we having fun yet?
                              Jeff

                              Comment

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