Multi line config...

[Tim Cowan]

Hi

I am trying to come up with a way for the user to enter data in a multiple
entry situation. I have conceived of two layouts and I would appreacitate
people's opinion on them.

As I can not send attachments I have posted 'artist's impression' of them on
the web at http://www.geocities.com/timcowan_2000/

If you click on the images you will get a bigger more readable image.

Thanks for your help

Tim Cowan

[Phil Weber]

> I am trying to come up with a way for the user to enter data
> in a multiple entry situation. I have conceived of two layouts
> and I would appreacitate peoples' opinions on them.

Tim: I'd suggest a combination of the two. I like the little X and question
mark icons in empty cells, but since you can't put icons in cells that
contain data, you should use a different background color in cells
containing non-editable (e.g., historical, calculated, etc.) data.
---
Phil Weber

[Shawn K. Hall]

Hi Tim,

I like both of them, but it's still rather "busy". I imagine there to
be 20+ icons on the grid when you first look at it - when there is no
data within the current day.

For the row headers it would be more consistent if you indented the
calculated field names by several spaces, and beveling the fields
based on ability to enter data. If you can enter data, it appears
sunken, if you cannot enter data (old data) it appears flat, if it's a
non-editable cell it could be raised and a separate color as well
(typical form gray). I like the info icon, but too many icons can
spoil a good form. I would assume the user knows which fields to enter
data into (if it's going to be a consistent user base and not just the
first person to get to the computer). Icons in the editable cells
would be a little intrusive in my opinion.

HTH,
--
Shawn K. Hall
Programmer / Analyst
*Please* post/respond in the newsgroups!

"Tim Cowan" <tcowan@golden.net> wrote in message
news:38eca3e1@news.devx.com...
> Hi
>
> I am trying to come up with a way for the user to enter data in a
multiple
> entry situation. I have conceived of two layouts and I would
appreacitate
> people's opinion on them.
>
> As I can not send attachments I have posted 'artist's impression' of
them on
> the web at http://www.geocities.com/timcowan_2000/
>
> If you click on the images you will get a bigger more readable
image.
>
> Thanks for your help
>
> Tim Cowan
>
>

[Tim Cowan]

Thanks for your input so far, I have another design on the same page. If
you have a moment maybe you could comment on this.

Thanks

Tim

[Shawn K. Hall]

I like that one a lot better!

It's easier on the eyes and draws your focus to the actual input
fields.

--
Shawn K. Hall
Programmer / Analyst
*Please* post/respond in the newsgroups!

"Tim Cowan" <tcowan@golden.net> wrote in message
news:38efcd58@news.devx.com...
> Thanks for your input so far, I have another design on the same
page. If
> you have a moment maybe you could comment on this.
>
> Thanks
>
> Tim
>
>

[Phil Weber]

> Thanks for your input so far, I have another design on
> the same page. If you have a moment maybe you could
> comment on this.

Tim: Much better. The only other suggestion I would make is that you allow
the user to select a color scheme, in case s/he finds all the grey a bit
monotonous. Nice job!
---
Phil Weber

[Mario Lanza]

The color scheme is a really good idea. It conveys information quickly and
is easy to look at.

For consistency consider using colors that already convey meaning to a user,
basically, the colors already in use on road signs (red - stop! bad! error!,
green - go. ok. success.). The goal is consistent use of colors across applications
in the same way that windows menus are generally built the same across all
windows applications.

I'm not suggesting you change your current scheme as it is easy to follow.
It looks good.

Mario T. Lanza
Metro Information Systems

[Vlad D.]

A color scheme is a good idea, though I suggest not using red near green. (A
daltonist can't see the difference LOL). It would be very strident for the
eye and the user will get tired quickly.

Vlad D. dvlad@home.ro

"Mario Lanza" <mlanza@mailcity.com> wrote in message
news:390da998$1@news.devx.com...
>
> The color scheme is a really good idea. It conveys information quickly
and
> is easy to look at.
>
> For consistency consider using colors that already convey meaning to a
user,
> basically, the colors already in use on road signs (red - stop! bad!
error!,
> green - go. ok. success.). The goal is consistent use of colors across
applications
> in the same way that windows menus are generally built the same across all
> windows applications.
>
> I'm not suggesting you change your current scheme as it is easy to
follow.
> It looks good.
>
> Mario T. Lanza
> Metro Information Systems
>