[DogParkList] Re: duplicate - flashing MLDX

[Chuck Gould]

Don,

Flashing RED. RED. Not just flashing. I know I said that. I don't  
care about the flashing ":"'s, tho I have them off in the Mac's time  
preferences ;)) Also, I think it's expected that a clock would have  
something that tick-tocks.

Hummm - Nonsense? A bit strong, but that's ok. Yes, there are very  
specific rules written  about what can be flashing and/or what color 
(s)(Google Sematech GEM (General Equipment Model)). This is not  
military specs. This is specs for automated manufacturing equipment.  
I'm not saying this applies to a consumer PC's, only that it is a  
real interface design concern, depending on application. In other  
words, it's not just me...

DXCluster activity doesn't have anything to do with what I said I was  
doing, not even sure how that got in there. I entered the call in the  
call input field, while I was trying to contact them. It stays there  
until I do something else or make the contact. I'm not that avid of a  
DX'er, so I'm not making dozens of different contacts /hr. This one  
was interesting to me and the conditions were highly variable, so I  
just left the call sitting there. Also, ignoring something flashing  
isn't natural. That is EXACTLY why flashing is used to gain  
attention. We perceive a flashing object the same as a moving object.

I was using the term "mission critical" sort of tongue-in-cheek. NOTE  
the quotes.

I think the horse is dead. It is an ex-horse. ;)

later... 73

-chuck



On Sep 29, 2005, at 2155 , Don Agro wrote:

> Hi Chuck,
>
> On 30-Sep-05, at 12:29 AM, Chuck Gould wrote:
>
>
>> As mentioned in earlier email - I did say obviously, a lot of  
>> commercial s/w doesn't need to hold to that standard (and  
>> doesn't). But, it is still a standard held in industry (not  
>> military). Factory automation software is one example. Anyway, I  
>> was just using it as an example that "flashing" is an attention  
>> getter which should reserved for critical notifications.
>>
>
> Nonsense - the dot separators on the digital clock in my Mac menu  
> bar flash - nothing critical about that.
>
> The dots in the MLDX UTC time display have flashed since day one -  
> and no one has yet called them 'mission critical'.
>
>
>> But - once I've noticed it's a dup, I don't need it to be flashing  
>> anymore. I have it [MLDX] sitting there with K7C in the call input  
>> box for possibly HOURS ready to log a fleeting contact. I don't  
>> think that's unreasonable (having a call pre-entered while  
>> attempting a contact).
>>
>
> That just doesn't jive with normal DXCluster activity. Calls are  
> replaced every few minutes - or even seconds. It is VERY rare to  
> have a call sitting there for hours.
>
>
>> This "dup" flag is even MORE noticeable now that it's RED, as  
>> opposed to when it was just gray/black (I know, that was probably  
>> your intention...)
>>
>
> No the flashing tab was eating up CPU cycles and was hard to  
> activate between flashes. This is an improvement - that's why I  
> took the time to implement it.
>
>
>> It just doesn't seem to be that "mission critical" to have a dup,
>>
>
> Where are you getting this mission critical stuff ? I'm sorry Chuck  
> but I think you are way out in left field on this one.
>
>
>> especially if it's not a contest. Casual contacts that are dups  
>> would seem to be pretty common - it's nice to see when, and how  
>> many times you've QSO'd with someone. I don't really need  
>> something flashing at me the whole time I'm in a QSO.
>>
>
> It's not flashing "AT" you and it's pretty easy to ignore if you  
> choose to. It's there to let you know that you have this call in  
> your log - that's all - and it does it pretty well I think.
>
>
>> Obviously, this has been up for discussion in the past, so I'm  
>> probably rehashing old ground for you.
>>
>
> No I can honestly say that no one else has taken the time to beat  
> this particular horse to death before.
>
>
> 73 Don Agro VE3VRW
>
> D o g   P a r k   S o f t w a r e   L t d .
>
> email: dagro at dogparksoftware.com
>   www: http://www.dogparksoftware.com
>     iChat AV:dogpark at mac.com
>
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