Bob J does a good job of focusing the problem on a key question (like he usually does!): What do we want the JMRI "LocoNet Slot Monitor" tool to do?
Whatever we come up with, I think we need a simple-to-use mechanism with a carefully-chosen default setting.
For the existing GUI, I would argue that the "default" mode of operation (i.e. "show unused slots" checkbox unchecked) should show any slot which can be actively controlled by a throttle (JMRI, Wi, Digitrax, or otherwise). This interpretation means, I believe, that "IN_USE" state _and_ "COMMON" state slots should always be shown, and "checking" the "show unused slots" checkbox would enable display of "FREE" state and "IDLE" state slots.
I do not support the idea of replacing the simple "show unused slots" checkbox with four checkboxes, one for each slot "state". The typical LocoNet/JMRI user doesn't have a clue about "slot state" values. Implementing four checkboxes, one for each state would cause massive confusion in the user-base, and would require significant re-training and support.
However, I and other power-users have uses for the four-checkbox approach. We could implement an option where the user could fiddle something like a checkbox in a new menu item on the Slot Monitor tool to swap out the simple "show unused slots" checkbox for the four "checkbox per slot status value" checkboxes.
Regards,
Billybob
