[Gaim-devel] More status UI designs

[Dave W. <ka...@us...>]

Ok, so this is the second set of screenshots for the UI designs that 
I've worked on. This is actual working code right now for the 
screenshots, things that don't work are noted below.

I also pseudo-implemented Sean's design for the status menu at the 
bottom of the buddy list. It's definitely not as pretty as his design 
and so far, it's just the menu. I also have some signals hooked up: I 
can mark all accounts online or away...for some reason offline doesn't 
work correctly just yet.

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http://unleashed.org/devel/gaim_status_expanded.jpg
This is the expanded form that I've been thinking about. Basically all 
of the accounts represented in a single-parent, highly dysfunctional 
GtkTree. All of the status icons change with the status; evenutally each 
of these will look much like a buddy list entry in the sense that 
available/away messages will show below the name as well as idle time, 
if applicable. Buddy icons display on the far right, just like the buddy 
list; my accounts don't have icons right now so they don't show up. None 
of the menus or tooltips are set for the extended pane yet; except for 
reflecting status changes in the icon on the left it's a static display.

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http://unleashed.org/devel/gaim_status_collapsed.jpg
This is the collapsed view. In looking through the status UI thread and 
looking at the status dropdown, I wanted a more brief way of looking at 
status-at-a-glance. After talking briefly with a user who suggested 
using another graphical form (and telling them I thought the idea may 
get shot down, [and I'm sorry that I forgot your name, you should get 
credit for the idea]), I bring you this to possibly shoot down :)

Each account's icon, with status and proper fades is represented in this 
pane. I would like to apply tooltips and menus to each icon, the same 
tooltip and menus that are available in the expanded list, but that is 
not coded yet. The tooltip is more important in this case so that 
individual accounts can be found/seen status without having to expand 
the statuses.

----

I think the mouse behavior between the collapsed and expanded form 
should be consistent. If I right click or left click on an icon in the 
collapsed view, it should do the same thing as the expanded view.

Here's the way I think those things should work/behave. None of this is 
built yet, just expounding on thought. Please note that when I use 
'widget,' I mean either the icon in the collapsed view or the account in 
the expanded view.

- The tooltip behaves similar to the buddy list. Mouse over the widget 
the tooltip appears. Leave the geography of that widget, it goes away.
- Double left-clicking a widget will produce the account editor.
- Right-clicking a widget will produce a context menu. On this menu will be:
	- status submenu
	- buddy icon submenu
		- load icon
		- clear icon
		- (wishlist) keep the last 5 used buddy icons
	- separator
	- the items from the 'account action' menu

- The idea of using a left click to open a menu appeals to me somewhat, 
since that's the primary operation that users know. An issue that comes 
to mind about usability; unless we make the icons in the account list 
buttons (as the collapsed view is), a user may be surprised to find a 
menu popping up when left clicking on something that they've experienced 
to work in a different way (e.g. the buddy list). I'm not sure if I 
would use this for that reason. If we implemented it that way, we'd want 
to change the buddy list to follow so that the interface is consistent. 
Although, I also realize that I may have misread that part of the 
thread...if I have, I apologize.

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I've got a patch against CVS HEAD for all that I've talked about right 
now except for the menus and tooltips. It works, though it still has 
some significant issues.

Enjoy,
--dw