Re: Difference between a Command Button and a Label

Dear Keith:

This is a tip. You are certainly permitted to take it or not.

I understand your concern about consistency of color coding. This can be
overcome by allowing the users to select colors that correspond with their
preferences, and saving them in a table. The users could then standardize
colors as they wish, especially if they have become accustomed to a given
scheme. That's actually a nice enhancement possibility I hadn't considered
before. If you like, I'll credit you in a later version of this article for
inspiring that. May I quote your question:

"what happens if the users get used to one developer's colour coding and
then are faced with a different set from another?"

I would think the answer is to build an array and store in that the selected
colors for a few different label button types. If this is done when the
application opens, it would take no time to assign them as each form opens
and functions, resulting in those color changes.

I am not asking for a patent on an idea here, but on a modest level of
authors rights as a courtesy. The only consideration I ask is with respect
to duplicating what I have written, that I be given the priviledge of
modifying it or withdrawing it, and that I be named in credit for writing it
(not owning it). I do not think those who might want it on a web site would
have any problem with that. Several have done so with other articles, and
always gladly credit me by name.

Tom Ellison


"Keith Wilby" <here@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:43f06600$1_1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Tom Ellison" <tellison@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:eaptFLIMGHA.3276@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I have found that, to attract a user's attention, coloring a label is
quite superior to having a command button's nicer shape. For example, in
the header of forms, I place command buttons colored yellow. My users
know these buttons expose combo boxes used to filter the form, and they
change to pale green when a filter is active. Click them again and the
filter is removed, the combo box is made invisible, and it is yellow
again. This becomes quickly intuitive to my users. Usually after being
shown only once how to use one they know how to use additional ones
without asking.

I recommend you carefully consider having a standard set of colors for
labels, and use them instead of command buttons.

The buttons in my apps are the default grey and I see no reason to change
them. They all have legends to identify their purpose to the end user. I
once flirted with different colours but IMO you end up with a gaudy mess.
Colour is also not much use if any of your users have any degree of colour
blindness. And what happens if the users get used to one developer's
colour coding and then are faced with a different set from another?


Tom Ellison

If anyone would care to post this to a web site, you have my permission,
providing you notify me here or by email and give me the URL of the web
site and an email address where I can request changes to this message.
You must attribute this to me, please, and give me access to repair or
enhance it. You may, of course, remove it from your site without notice,
though I'd prefer to know why, if you please.


Why do you think that you have some sort of copyright over the use of
colour coding? I'm not trying to be hostile, just wondered.

Keith.



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