GUI Consistency Checklist
[ Design Principles | Windows | Menu Bars | Controls | Other Controls | Yes/No Usage | Pop-Up Menus | Navigation ]
[ Place the user in control | Reduce the user's memory load | Make the interface consistent ]
| Allow the user to decide what to do next | |
| Minimize use of modes | |
| Display descriptive and helpful messages | |
| Provide immediate feedback on user actions | |
| Accommodate users with difference skill levels | |
| Make the user interface transparent | |
| Allow the user to customize the interface | |
| Allow the user to directly manipulate interface objects | |
| Encourage Exploration |
| Make the interface visual | |
| Help users complete tasks | |
| Provide visual cues | |
| Provide short cuts |
| Put objects in the client area and actions in the menu bar | |
| Use the same technique for the same action | |
| Use real-world metaphors | |
| Maintain consistency within and across products |
[ Primary | Secondary | Message ]
Primary
Definition: |
A window where user interaction with an object or objects is started. A primary window will usually contain a set of objects (icons). For example, the desktop. |
| Contents | Objects that can be opened, moved, copied or deleted | |
| Title Format | Left aligned. Format: Object name - view name (if multiple views are
supported) Example: MyFolder - Details |
|
| Invocation | Displayed when an application is started or an object is opened. | |
| Min/Max-able | Yes | |
| Sizable | Yes | |
| Reset | No | |
| Close | Mouse: Double click on the System menu or single click on the System menu
and click on Close. Keyboard: Alt+F4 Close closes the window. Display a confirmation message if changes have been made and not yet saved. |
|
| Modality | Not applicable |
Secondary
Definition: |
|
| Contents | Action windows and messages | |
| Action | Definition: A secondary window that is used to collect or hold information entered by the user. An action window can display another action window. |
|
| Contents | Controls | |
| Title Format | Left aligned. Format: Object name - action Example: MyFolder - Find |
|
| Invocation | Displayed by selecting a push button or menu choice | |
| Sizable | No | |
| Save | Changes are saved by selecting the OK or Apply push buttons. (A Save push button may also be used) | |
| Close | Closed by selecting the Cancel push button or selecting Close from the system menu. For the Close action, display a message if changes have not been saved (Cancel assumes you do not want to save changes, therefore a message is not displayed on Cancel). | |
| Modality | Can be object modal, system modal or modeless. If the task that the user
is performing cannot continue until the window is completed, then make the window modal. NOTE: Only use system modal if the user must respond before continuing with any action in the system.(Modal means you must complete or remove this window before continuing) |
[Push Buttons | Radio Buttons | Check Box | List Box | Drop-down List Box | Tab | Combo Box | Drop-down Combo Box | Entry Field ]
| Radio Buttons | Used to present a fixed list of mutually exclusive choices | |
| Selection Technique | Mouse: Click on desired choice. Keyboard: Arrow key to desired choice. |
|
| Check Box | Used to present a choice that has only 2 states, for example: on and off | |
| Selection Technique | Mouse: Click on check box. When selected, a check appears in the box. Keyboard: Arrow key to desired choice and press the space bar. |
|
| List Box | Displays a list of choices that may vary in number. | |
| Selection Technique | Single Selection Mouse: Click on desired choice Keyboard: Arrow key to desired choice or type first letter of choice. Multiple Selection Mouse: Click on desired choices Keyboard: Arrow key to desired choice or type first letter of choice, press space bar. |
|
| Tab Key | Moves the cursor from one field to another. For example, the tab key moves the cursor from a group of radio buttons to a list box. Entry fields are considered to be separate fields, so the tab key moves the cursor from one entry field to another. | |
| Arrow Key | The arrow key moves the cursor within a field. For example, in a radio button field, the arrow key moves the cursor from one radio button to another. In a push button field, the arrow keys move the cursor from one push button to another. (The default border follows the cursor.) |
[ Design Principles | Windows | Menu Bars | Controls | Other Controls | Yes/No Usage | Pop-Up Menus | Navigation ]
Copyright ©. 1991-1999 Interfaced Systems International Inc. Last modified: Sunday, April 18, 1999 09:16:48 PM EST