Projects/Usability/HIG/StatusBar: Difference between revisions
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== Purpose == | == Purpose == | ||
A ''status bar'' is an area at the bottom of a primary window that displays information about the current window's state, background tasks, or other contextual information. | A ''status bar'' is an area at the bottom of a primary window that displays information about the current window's state, background tasks, or other contextual information. The status bar ‘frames’ the form and, thereby, has a white-space function which is part of the operating system or desktop environment branding. Because secondary forms like dialog boxes must not use a status bar it denotes a form as primary window too. | ||
KDE applications should not use a conventional status bar by default to maximize the space for content <ref>http://user-prompt.com/what-is-a-status-bar-good-for/</ref>. | |||
== Examples == | == Examples == | ||
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== Guidelines == | == Guidelines == | ||
=== Is this the right control === | === Is this the right control === | ||
* | * Omit the status bar in the main window to maximize vertical space for content. | ||
** Do not show meaningless information like 'Ready'. | |||
** Use a floating panel or [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Tooltip| tool-tips]] for short-term status information like full length text of links. | |||
** Move controls to the toolbar. | |||
* Do not display a status bar in secondary or internal windows. | * Do not display a status bar in secondary or internal windows. | ||
* If a status bar is really necessary in your application consider to use a [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Toolbar| toolbar]] with all customization features. | |||
=== Behavior === | === Behavior === | ||
* Do not use status bars for crucial information. Users should never have to know what is in the status bar | * Do not use the status bars or any kind of replacement for crucial information. Users should never have to know what is in the status bar. | ||
* Do not use the status bar to display advisory messages in place of standard [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Tooltip|tool-tips]]. | * Do not use the status bar or any kind of replacement to display advisory messages in place of standard [[Projects/Usability/HIG/Tooltip|tool-tips]]. | ||
* | * Keep the status information plain; e.g. do not add icons. | ||
=== Appearance === | |||
== Implementation == | == Implementation == | ||
== References == | |||
<references> | |||
[[Category:Usability]][[Category:Behavior]][[Category:Viewing_and_Navigation]][[Category:Access_functions]] | [[Category:Usability]][[Category:Behavior]][[Category:Viewing_and_Navigation]][[Category:Access_functions]] | ||
Revision as of 11:04, 4 November 2013
Purpose
A status bar is an area at the bottom of a primary window that displays information about the current window's state, background tasks, or other contextual information. The status bar ‘frames’ the form and, thereby, has a white-space function which is part of the operating system or desktop environment branding. Because secondary forms like dialog boxes must not use a status bar it denotes a form as primary window too.
KDE applications should not use a conventional status bar by default to maximize the space for content [1].
Examples
Guidelines
Is this the right control
- Omit the status bar in the main window to maximize vertical space for content.
- Do not show meaningless information like 'Ready'.
- Use a floating panel or tool-tips for short-term status information like full length text of links.
- Move controls to the toolbar.
- Do not display a status bar in secondary or internal windows.
- If a status bar is really necessary in your application consider to use a toolbar with all customization features.
Behavior
- Do not use the status bars or any kind of replacement for crucial information. Users should never have to know what is in the status bar.
- Do not use the status bar or any kind of replacement to display advisory messages in place of standard tool-tips.
- Keep the status information plain; e.g. do not add icons.
Appearance
Implementation
References
<references>