| InterfaceConsistencyInSelections |
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Throughout any operating system experience there are many widgets and interfaces where multiple items are presented for simultaneous actions to be performed on them. Consider a tracker view. One can select multiple files and move them together, or open them in the same app, or more. Or consider any use of BListView. Any BListView can be set to allow multiple selections. An example of two third applications that present lists for selection are BeShare (the file results list, and transfers window) and SoundPlay. (the playlist)
In these situations one can usually perform a few typical actions:
- Select a set of objects by dragging
- Add/remove a single object to/from the selection
- Select all/none the objects
- Select a range of objects by clicking on one, holding a key and clicking on the other end of the range.
Things to note: although all use Alt-A, the rest are a mix of conventions, especially the range select.
GE should present a consistent interface in selection behavior in these types of sitatuations. One way to do this is SystemKeyBindingsPreferences.
Here's how you do this in Tracker:
(note: these all apply in list, mini icon, and icon view)
- Selection rectangle used
- Shift-click on the object (toggles membership in the selection)
- Alt-A to select all objects, click on background to deselect all
- Click first object, hold alt and click the other end.
Here's how it works in BeShare:
- no drag selection
- windows-key click on the object (toggles membership in the selection)
- Alt-A to select all objects, click on an object to deselect all others (no deselect all)
- Click first object, hold shift and click the other end.
Here's how it works in SoundPlay:
- drag does moving single selection
- shift click on the object (toggles membership in the selection)
- Alt-A to select all objects, click on empty list space to deselect all.
- Click first object, hold windows-key and click the other end.
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