[Freeciv-Dev] Fwd: Players dialog usability (GTK)

[Daniel Markstedt <himasaram@xxxxxxxx>]

I agree wholeheartedly with Christian's comments below. We should be able to borrow the code to implement an improved interface from the 'Cities' dialog that already have similar buttons.

Daniel

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Christian Knoke <chrisk@xxxxxxxxx>
> Date: den 12 oktober 2005 13.16.58 MET
> To: Daniel Markstedt <himasaram@xxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: Players dialog usability (GTK)
>
>
> Hi Daniel,
>
> I'm just back from a short holiday.
>
> Feel free to forward the following to freeciv-dev:
>
> On Fri, Oct 07, 2005 at 08:01:51AM +0200, Daniel Markstedt wrote:
> > On 2005-10-04, at 21.51, Christian Knoke wrote:
> > > On Tue, Oct 04, 2005 at 04:47:25PM +0200, Daniel Markstedt wrote:
> > > > There has been improvements to the players dialog (GTK client)
> > > > usability in CVS head. Moving the menus to the lower right corner of
> > > > the window makes it easier to spot.
>
> I'm unsure whether this is an improvement or not..
>
> > > > Here's a few thoughts on how to improve the dialog's usability 
> > > > further:
> > > >
> > > > In the space below the list of nations and to the left of the menus, 
> > > > we
> > > > could place a few buttons with shortcuts to the most commonly used
> > > > commands. My suggestion is "Incite Meeting" and "Cancel Treaty".
> > >
> > > .. and remove the menue completely.
> >
> > I don't think we could fit that many buttons in such a limited space... 
> > The menu should be there for reference anyways.
>
> There are 5 entries, that can be changed to buttons. For me, there is enough
> space for this. Of course, the display and the AI menue should stay.
>
> > > > Also, I get the impression that many newbies have difficulties
> > > > declaring war. Therefore I think we should have a "Declare War" option
> > > > under the Diplomacy menu that immediately cancel all treaties in one
> > > > go.
> > >
> > > Maybe. I think a 'cancel treaty' button will do it. Create a flying 
> > > text
> > > "use this to get from peace to war".
>
> Use "with this button, you cancel the actual treaty with the hilighted player
> and cut it back to a lower level" as a tool tip.
>
> > Yes, with a button, going from peace to war would be much quicker. 
>
> The diplo orders are what you need all the time, not only cancel treaty. The
> others are rather unimportant.
>
> > However, it's still something of a pedagogical issue for newbies...
>
> Of course, as is the diplomatic states issue.
>
> > > More important is that it is very dangerous, and we need a confirmation
> > > box for this command IMNSHO.
>
> > Confirmation boxes are generally detestable,
>
> Yes.
>
> > but I suppose it could be justified in this case.
>
> I think so. This is for newbies. We cannot always view this game from an
> expert POV if we want to attract new players.
>
> You can add a local option to switch off the confirmation dialog, of course.
> That's for the profs.
>
> Christian
>
> -- 
> Christian Knoke            * * *            http://cknoke.de
> * * * * * * * * *  Ceterum censeo Microsoft esse dividendum.