Bob,
I think I suggested a similar approach that was simpler. The dropdown
decoder list just shows manufacturers, but then there are flyout menus for
each manufacturer that list the models. If you like the family apprach,
you could flyout the family menu from the manufacturer instead, then have
the models flyout from the family. This advantage of this approach over
Mark's is that there is no need to enter data manually ahead of time for the
mfr or the family.
Robin
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-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Jacobsen [mailto:Bob_Jacobsen@...]
Sent: Friday, May 31, 2002 10:52 AM
To: jmriusers@...
Subject: [jmriusers] Change the way we present decoder names?
I don't have any real ideas about how to better identify decoders. I
agree it's a mess, and will be happy to implement whatever you guys
think is best.
Mark Gurries made a suggestion a while back that I think would help
with the user interface. He suggested that, instead of a single long
list of decoders that's ordered by manufacturer, that we split it
into three selection boxes:
(Mfg) (Family) (Model)
When you pick a particular item in the "Manufacturer" box on the
left, that will restrict the other two to just that manufacturers
families and models. If we auto-identify the manufacturer, that also
does the restriction, so people just see the ones from that
manufacturer.
The "Family" one would then be things like "LC Steam" for Soundtraxx,
or "FX Decoders" for Digitrax. The idea is to have them be "so close
together that they basically all program the same". Even if you're
not sure of the particular model, and the program can't figure it
out, you'll probably not get in trouble.
And then the "Model" box would get down to the specifics, including
the number of output wires on a specific model, etc.
So if somebody knew that they had a "PQ197PJ", they could look for
that in the "Model" column. If they don't see it, perhaps because
nobodies ever made a file for it, but know that it's from "Wizzo
Co", they could select that under manufacturer (or maybe decoder ID
would do that), and look at the families. They they might realize
that it's a "CoolChip" decoder, select that family, and be close
enough to function.
Does this sound like it could help?
Bob
--
--------------
Bob Jacobsen (Bob_Jacobsen@..., 510-486-7355, fax 510-495-2957)
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