Re: Pop up window ala msn messenger
Re: Pop up window ala msn messenger
- Subject: Re: Pop up window ala msn messenger
- From: Robert Walker <email@hidden>
- Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 11:08:01 -0500
David,
In my opinion (and only an opinion not intended to start a UI design
flame war here) is to not do this at all. This would be similar to
the "New software available." pop-up message for Windows XP updates.
I personally feel that this type of implementation is nothing short
of a distraction.
I much prefer an implementation more like that used for iChat or the
Apple Mail application. In those applications there is a subtle, but
noticeable, change to the Dock icon to provide a notification. Then
further details can be provided through the Dock icon's pop-up menu
or simple clicking on a Dock icon to open the applications document
window.
The window behavior will be like the messenger's one, pop up and
disappear
after 5 secs unless the mouse is over the window.
One issue with this approach is that if I'm not staring at my screen
every minute, I may never even see this message. Then you end up
with the same situation as the Windows style messages. They keep
popping up, on some timed bases, causing multiple distractions. It's
not until the user acknowledges it's existence that it finally "goes-
away." Still better to me if you indicate on the icon so it's always
visible, but does not distract.
Of course there are always exceptions to any design guideline. If
this is absolutely critical information that needs to be communicated
to the user in an "as-it-happens" scenario, then I'd say use a
regular dialog window to provide such notification. I've seen many
variations on this, some I like, some I don't.
I guess my bottom-line conclusion is this: make your applications
"feel" like Macintosh applications. Keep your target user in mind.
In other words think in terms of iChat not MSN Messenger.
On Mar 24, 2006, at 2:35 AM, David Chan wrote:
Hi all, I am sorry if this question has been asked, please kindly
refer me
to the link if it is so =)
Anyway, I need to do something like msn or yahoo messenger, to pop
up a
window on the righthand lower corner of the screen whenever there
is, let
say, new item available to download.
The window behavior will be like the messenger's one, pop up and
disappear
after 5 secs unless the mouse is over the window.
And the user supposedly able to interact with the window. E.g.,
click on a
button that invoke action in my main application.
What is the best approach to implement this? Thanks a lot.
Regards
David
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