[pilot-db-list] Re: UI changes

[Larry W. V. <lv...@ca...>]

From: Tom Dyas <td...@vg...>

> I need to make some changes to the UI in order to support the new database
> drivers layer. Basically, when you click "New" from the main screen, I

Can you describe the database drivers layer a bit?

> to use to create the database. Then when you click OK, you are taken to
> the current design screen minus the Name prompt at the top.

I think this change to New would be fine with me - I seldom use New myself -
I tend to build my databases initially on the desktop and populate them down.

> Renaming the database would move to the database preferences dialog.

Seems like maybe what is needed here is another button on the front page
for rename, just like we currently have open/del/info/beam ...

> I also need some suggestions on how to support converting between
> different drivers and also creating a data source using the schema of
> a sanother database.

I'm still uncertain what the drivers conversion means...

> I'm thinking of a "Duplicate" option on the main screen which will pop up
> a dialog asking for the new name, driver, and how much to copy ("Schema &
> Data", "Schema"). Can I do better?

This sounds fine with me.  See below

> Also, new options on the chooser screen won't fit. Will it be a problem if
> I replace the "Open", "Del", "Info", and "Beam" buttons at the bottom of
> the screen with a popup list which you select an action from and then tap
> the database title?

Why not menu bar options?  You could add rename and duplicate here as well.

> Icons may also be better but I cannot draw for the life of me. 
Nah - you're heading the right way.  If you want to support icons, allow
the user to specify an icon with the name of the database to represent
the database!

> Or an icon next to the database title that you could tap to get list of
> database specific options?

I suppose - but perhaps just a menubar option to act upon the selected
database (ala cut/copy, etc.) would be fine with me.
-- 
Larry W. Virden <mailto:lv...@ca...>
<URL: http://www.purl.org/NET/lvirden/>
Unless explicitly stated to the contrary, nothing in this posting should 
be construed as representing my employer's opinions.
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