Comments on: Confusing user interface http://blog.gruby.com/2009/11/10/confusing-user-interface/ Another semi-useless spot on the web... Mon, 30 Jan 2012 07:45:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Scott Grubyhttp://blog.gruby.com/2009/11/10/confusing-user-interface/comment-page-1/#comment-15713 Scott Gruby Sun, 13 Dec 2009 15:03:14 +0000 http://blog.gruby.com/?p=2397#comment-15713 While that may be true (I don't see an Apply button in Fusion), if the preferences are in a modal dialog, an Apply button doesn't do much good as you have to OK the dialog to get out of it. If the preferences are in a non-modal dialog, it shouldn't have an OK button. So, an Apply button in itself isn't bad (it isn't great either), but an Apply button along with OK is confusing. While that may be true (I don't see an Apply button in Fusion), if the preferences are in a modal dialog, an Apply button doesn't do much good as you have to OK the dialog to get out of it. If the preferences are in a non-modal dialog, it shouldn't have an OK button. So, an Apply button in itself isn't bad (it isn't great either), but an Apply button along with OK is confusing.

]]> By: Petehttp://blog.gruby.com/2009/11/10/confusing-user-interface/comment-page-1/#comment-15701 Pete Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:47:03 +0000 http://blog.gruby.com/?p=2397#comment-15701 Some applications benefit from the ability to apply a change when you prefer, without closing the preferences screen. Fusion comes to mind. Some applications benefit from the ability to apply a change when you prefer, without closing the preferences screen. Fusion comes to mind.

]]> By: Scott Grubyhttp://blog.gruby.com/2009/11/10/confusing-user-interface/comment-page-1/#comment-15397 Scott Gruby Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:55:04 +0000 http://blog.gruby.com/?p=2397#comment-15397 Thanks for the clarification. On the Mac, however, if there is an OK and Cancel button, the window/dialog is typically modal and you can't continue until you hit one of the two buttons. Therefore, an Apply button is kind of pointless as you can't continue until you dismiss the dialog. If a preferences window doesn't have an OK/Cancel, then the settings should take effect immediately without an Apply button. The Apply button seems like an extra, unnecessary step. Thanks for the clarification. On the Mac, however, if there is an OK and Cancel button, the window/dialog is typically modal and you can't continue until you hit one of the two buttons. Therefore, an Apply button is kind of pointless as you can't continue until you dismiss the dialog. If a preferences window doesn't have an OK/Cancel, then the settings should take effect immediately without an Apply button. The Apply button seems like an extra, unnecessary step.

]]> By: Tylerhttp://blog.gruby.com/2009/11/10/confusing-user-interface/comment-page-1/#comment-15396 Tyler Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:52:08 +0000 http://blog.gruby.com/?p=2397#comment-15396 I think it's relatively simple.. Apply is used to save the changes you have already made and to continue making changes, OK saves the changes and closes the dialog, and cancel closes the dialog and does not save any changes not yet applied.I find it helpful when making a bunch of changes to save my work every few minutes w/ the Apply button. I think it's relatively simple.. Apply is used to save the changes you have already made and to continue making changes, OK saves the changes and closes the dialog, and cancel closes the dialog and does not save any changes not yet applied.

I find it helpful when making a bunch of changes to save my work every few minutes w/ the Apply button.

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