[comp.cog-eng] Pie submenus

ralphw@ius3.ius.cs.cmu.edu (Ralph Hyre) (07/02/88)

This might be a suitabl use of color, if two (or more, for hierarchical menus)
could be found.  You could also warp the mouse to the center of the
submenu.  The trick is finding (or allowing the user to select
suitable colors)

       submenu 2
        /
       /
  6\1/2
  -- --
  5/4\3


-- 
					- Ralph W. Hyre, Jr.

Internet: ralphw@ius2.cs.cmu.edu    Phone:(412)268-{2847,3275} CMU-{BUGS,DARK}
Amateur Packet Radio: N3FGW@W2XO, or c/o W3VC, CMU Radio Club, Pittsburgh, PA

ralphw@ius3.ius.cs.cmu.edu (Ralph Hyre) (07/05/88)

[let's try that again, this time with all the text...]

For pie submenus, dealing with overlapping items might be a suitable use of 
color, if two or more appropriately non-interfering colors (as always, 
user-selectable with 'reasonable' defaults).  If the distances between menus 
and submenus are small enough, it may be OK to use the 'stack of cards' 
approach, although this is the my personal most hated aspect of the user 
interface in the Andrew applications I use.

You could also warp the mouse to the center of the submenu.


       submenu 2
        /
       /
  6\1/2
  -- --
  5/4\3

Just remember to provide a good 'undo' for those whose 'muscle memory' 
forgets what to do over a long holiday break.

-- 
					- Ralph W. Hyre, Jr.

Internet: ralphw@ius2.cs.cmu.edu    Phone:(412)268-{2847,3275} CMU-{BUGS,DARK}
Amateur Packet Radio: N3FGW@W2XO, or c/o W3VC, CMU Radio Club, Pittsburgh, PA