User Experience/Projects/NonModalMessageSystem
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Non Modal Message System
Current versions of OpenOffice.org use modal dialogs to give feedback in many situations. This interrupts users every time such a dialog is shown. Most of these messages are not that important, but it is no option to stop giving feedback. Furthermore new features, like sharing documents with others need a kind of message system to broadcast collaboration information. Giving feedback needs to be accessible, so it is not sufficient to show a message text somewhere in a dialog or just to change the color of a control. Those text and color changes will not be read by AT tools.
Work in Progress.
Message Types and Visualization Styles
Note: Visual representation (colors, design, icons) of the following is subject to change.
Types
- Information
- Warning
- Question
- Update notification
Step 1 - Message Style 1
Every time the message is not directly triggered by the user (i.e collaboration messages) the following message type is being used.
Small (preferred visualization)
- Messages could disappear automatically after a configurable time. The 'Close' button then shows a text '(n)'..'(0)'. The message will be hidden if the counter reaches 0.
- Show 'Messages' button for real messages only? (not for temporary ones)
Step 2 - Message Style 2a
Temporary messages in context: Information is only of interest in a special context. I.e. feedback when searching the document. Message disappears automatically.
Alternatively those contextual information could be shown as style 1 message. In this case the message has a timer, so it will automatically disappear.
Step 3 - Contextual Message
This visualization can be used in text or on an object. If not focused and mouse is not near the context, the visual hint is minimal.
If focused/cursor near context, the following icon is faded in:
On click a contextual menu is opened. Info icon turned into closer, so that menu could be closed without moving the mouse.
Message Center
Main Menu Integration
We need a hook in the main menu.
Message Center in Start Center (early draft)
Mock-up will follow.
Message Center in Side Pane (early draft)
Message could also be shown inside the StartCenter, beside templates and recent documents.
References
Christoph Noack
DirectManipulationSnippets Direct Manipulation Snippets
ContextualInformation