[openbeosnetteam] Re: Network preflet

> If you can send me the skeleton code, I'll have a look at what the 
> idea 
> is.

Here it's available:
http://philippe.houdoin.free.fr/phil/beos/openbeos/network_kit/
OBOSNetworkPreflet.zip

BTW, I was wrong saying there is no Network preflet in our CVS, because 
there is one:
current/src/prefs/network/*.
But this one is a clone of R5 one, and have a static design. However, 
maybe it could help anyway...

We discussed this preflet design before already, 
and IIRC we aggreed on a design similar to Boneyard from BONE, even if 
it's not the best 
GUI network preflet design on Earth I guess...
If some of you don't have BONE, here how look this preflet called, how 
funny today, "Boneyard":

http://philippe.houdoin.free.fr/phil/beos/openbeos/network_kit/
boneyard_identity.jpg
http://philippe.houdoin.free.fr/phil/beos/openbeos/network_kit/
boneyard_if_ethernet.jpg
http://philippe.houdoin.free.fr/phil/beos/openbeos/network_kit/
boneyard_if_loopback.jpg
http://philippe.houdoin.free.fr/phil/beos/openbeos/network_kit/
boneyard_profiles.jpg
http://philippe.houdoin.free.fr/phil/beos/openbeos/network_kit/
boneyard_services.jpg

Except that we (axeld and me) wants to put profile not in a separate 
tab but at window top, in 
a similar way than MacOS X Network preflet put his "location" feature:
http://philippe.houdoin.free.fr/phil/beos/openbeos/network_kit/
configure%20menu.gif
http://philippe.houdoin.free.fr/phil/beos/openbeos/network_kit/macosx-
networkstatus.jpg

a) location == profile (aka, a named set of settings )
  A BMenuField could display all them, plus (or separate buttons, 
should see) 
  offer theses operations on "profiles":
  - "New..." to create a new one. Maybe "Copy..." would be better, 
cloning the current selected profile 
  into a new one
  - "Delete" the selected profile
  - "Make active" to apply the selected settings profile to the network 
stack, on the fly
b) a paned view, displaying each add-on provided settings groups: 
  Identity
  Interfaces
  Services
  Etc...

Here, we can use tabview like Boneyard, but it's then difficult to have 
another sub level of tabs under each "settings group". I like the way 
MacOS X Network preflet use a second "Show" popup, allowing to use tabs 
in last level of settings. These is often so many settings to offer in 
a network environment 
that this solution let you use tabs to dispatch some of them for a 
settings group only. That way, no 
two-level of tabs.

In that design, a second BMenuField can then offer:

  rtl8139/0 ethernet interface
  loopback interface
  Identity
  Dialup
  Services
 -----------------
  Network status    <-- an "ifconfig -a" graphical live presentation

Or we can choose to use a lefty treeview + righty panel. Unlimited 
groups and settings depth, but 
what about user friendly?

Another point I find usefull, the "lock" icon,  to prevent any unwanted 
settings change...

Oh, last but not least, see this sample Boneyard skeleton add-on on 
BeBits:
http://www.bebits.com/app/3282


So, what do you thinks, guys?

-Philippe


--
Fortune Cookie Says:

.. And malt does more than Milton can
To justify God's ways to man
                -- A. E. Housman

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