[softwarelist] Ovation Pro Windows - Tooltips

In article <dEq1t+CMrbGEFwIb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
   David Pilling <flist@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >While trying the evening before last, to show a mixed audience (RISC OS
> >and Windows) the common and different features of OPro on the two
> >platforms

> Could they see any difference... (a lack of difference might be a 
> criticism)

The RISC OS people were surprised at the similarities, particularly when a
"right-click" brought up a familiar dialogue window. (Ooh, aah!)

The Windows people (aware of OPro, but certainly not familiar with it)
were certainly interested, but thought the lack of tooltips for the
button bar (even in its default length) was unhelpful. 

Yes, Shift-F1 provides Help, but if you can't remember which is the
button you want, it takes a long time sorting through the buttons. This
is not a problem on the RISC OS version because of the trio of pop-up
help applications which can be run as optional. I have been using OPro on
RISC OS for years, but I manage to remember only those buttons which I
use regularly. Beyond that point, I need to switch on !Float (Thank you,
Steve Fryatt) because BubbleHelp does not work on the Iyonix. (Yes, I
know BubbleHelp cannot be updated.)

> >Inevitably, one of our Windows members asked "Where are the Tooltips?".

> Position the pointer over a tool...

Yes, fine, see below. But ...

> So there are some tool tips in the program.

> My feeling is that interactive help in general is a good thing. However 
> it does tend to get in the way most of the time. In my opinion pressing 
> Shift+F1 and getting help on just the thing I want to know at that 
> moment about is great.

But not if you have a multitude of buttons and can't remember which
is the one you want. The toolbar with its limited number of buttons is
just sufficiently memorable to not need tooltips - so it has them.  (8-)>

> However many a time I play a game of trying to see what is underneath 
> the "helpful" tool tip that Windows is putting in my way. 

It takes less effort to move the pointer to make the tooltip disappear
temporarily (or even wait the 5 seconds for normal tooltips to
self-cancel) than doing Shift-F1 and dropping the "question mark
pointer" on the button to be interrogated.

On the other hand, Adobe Reader presents a very good model for a toolbar,
where the tooltip pane opens just at the bottom end of the pointer's
shaft, thus not obscuring what is being pointed at.

> You can also 
> play another game where most of the time information pops up, but 
> sometimes it doesn't. This is moving away from help, towards 
> information.

> I didn't invent or write Bubble Help for RISC OS, but I had a lot to do 
> with making it available and getting it included with Ovation Pro. I 
> wonder how many people actually used it and for how long.

BubbleHelp is still my favourite, when using the RISC PC!

> All too often
> the people who need help don't know how to get it - Shift+F1 is a good 
> example, so are the !Help files on RISC OS.

Yes, but only BubbleHelp or equivalent (tooltips on Windows) provide the
immediate reminder which some people (maybe a lot of people?) need.

> I did some tooltips for Windows, and then stopped. I can go further,
> e.g. extend the system from tools to buttons or to the info palette.

I, for one, would be delighted to have tooltips for the Windows version
button bar. By all means make it a payable upgrade. (Follow the Icon
Technology model.)

> I'd certainly include an option to turn off tool tips.

Yes, just like BubbleHelp where you can use a default keystroke if the
iconbar icon has been switched off in Choices.

> The other point, is that usually when I want help on an option it is
> not available. Happens with the billion dollar software from
> MicroSoft, happens with mine too.

Would it be possible to have a standard "script" insert for the button
macros so that individuals could insert their own tooltips (if necessary)?

In any event, David, thank you very much for your continuing development.

Best wishes.

-- 
Frank Watkinson.     email:  <frank@xxxxxxxx>  Using !Pluto 3.04c on Iyonix 
5.09.
              Still RPC-SA (4.39 Adjust) for some things.

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