View this PageEdit this PageAttachments to this PageHistory of this PageHomeRecent ChangesSearch the SwikiHelp Guide

UI Recommendations

I would suggest we put a side bar on the document when TAJ is running. This side bar would have the basic buttons of Collapse, Expand, Recollapse, Expand All, and Recollapse All. The Hard Expand button will not be there since we do not want this button to be at the user’s reach that easily. This side bar will only be visible when TAJ is running, thus when we stop TAJ the bar will disappear. We should aim for the side bar, but worst case we can put these 5 buttons with all the other Eclipse buttons on top. Now, one can easily know if TAJ is running by looking at if the side bar is visible or not. We can also put some sort of watermark in the background of the text or make the document window’s color different to symbolize that TAJ is running. The final addition is to have an additional drop-down menu (similar to File, Edit, etc.) named something like “Action” which has all 6 commands including Hard Expand. To summarize, there are three main additions:

1. A side bar with buttons, which is visible when TAJ is running.
2. When TAJ is running either a watermark pops up in the background of the editor, and/or the color of the document’s window changes.
3. A drop-down menu with all the commands.

Feel free to modify or add anymore suggestions.



Suggestion #1 - Samir
What if we add the Hard Expand to the sidebar but have a pop up warning the user that all collapses will be discarded permanently?

Reply to Suggestion #1 - Zaheer
I personally think that the hard collapse shouldnt be there, since it is not an action which is used much by the user. I think the side bar should only have buttons which are used frequently, but I do think it's a good idea to have the pop up warning when they select hard expand. This is what I think, others please input your opinions.

Reply to Suggestion #1 - Shaoyu
Well, the hard collapse is a way for users to undo certain collapses, in case they wished to restructure the TAJ documentation, or wished to correct a mistaken collapse. Therefore, I think this option should remain available to the users, since it would be a vital part of the TAJ documentation process. I also agree that the pop up warning should be there.