Réf. : RE: [Bug-gnubg] [Bug_gnubg] New GUI resiz e problems and rnd ideas

[Massimiliano . Maini]

>> I really like the new GUI layout, but I have an annoying resize
>> problem (under XP, 1024x768).
>>
>> When the Game Record, Annotation and Message panels are all visible,
>> the window height is more than 1024 and it is impossible to resize it.
>> It seems to me that the Game Record panel vertical size (which the
>> user cannot change) is causing that ...
>
>I resolve this by maximizing the window.

No way : the window exceeds the screen size and I'm unable to resize
it [well, them : the window and the sceen :)].

It's like if its minimal (vertical) size was greater than the screen
size. The only way is to hide a panel (e.g. the message one).

>> Also, the annotation panel contains in fact the analysis one (list
>> of analyzed move) and the annotation one : since the concern is to
>> save precious vertical space, I would prefer to have two separate
>> panels since I don't think that the annotation one is frequently
>> used. Even more radical, annotations could pop up in a separate
>> window (allowing to edit them), via a button/keyboard shortcut.
>> I would put something clearly visible to signal that the current
>> move has annotation data (e.g. something blinking in the board,
>> or a blinking button ni the toolbar).
>
>I think this is not a good idea. First of all, I use the annotation
>window quite regularly, and plan to do so far more when it is possible
>to add one's notes while playing against GNU.

Well, I guess each player has his own habits and needs, and you are
already known to be an exception (regarding FIBS rating extimation),
am I right ? :))

I don't think annotations are used that much : it's a great learning
tool, but you need somebody doing the annoying job of writing it.
But you're right, it will gain interest when you will be allowed
to annotate while playing.
Anyway, even when you'll be able to enter annotations while playing,
you'll have to have the annotation panel on, which includes the
analysis part (list of moves). This is unuseful since while playing
that list is empty (for the current move, not yet played), it just
wastes space. That's the reason why my first suggestion was to have
2 panels (analysis and annotation), and why my second suggestion
(shortcut activated "fliying" dialogue) was labelled "more radical".

I think I would be happy with :

 - separate panels for analysis and annotation (btw, now it is
   possible to resize the annotation area wrt the analysis area,
   sliding vertically the horizontal bar that separate them, but
   this bar becomes invisible when sliding it).
 - a way to resize (height) the game record panel

>The second problem is the design idea: the whole idea of the GUI was
>to remove *floating* windows, and not exchange some for others.

Right, but you'll always have floating windows/dialogs for options,
settings, start a new match/session, market windows, race theory etc.
I'm not so sure that annotations are used more frequently than race
theory or market windows or MET or ....

>> Finally, the very low part of the window is taken by a line with
>> some text (more or less repeated in the Message panel) and by the
>> cursor indicating GNUbg is thinking. I would squeeze all this to a
>> width equal to the board's width, to have some extra vertical space
>> for the panel on the right.
>
>I've thought of this too, but think perhaps some better use could be
>made for it, such as an instant Help. Instead of having a floating tip,
>this part might highlight in some light color, to make it extra clear,
>and the floating tip text would appear here instead.

Hmm, that space seems to be only 1 line height, not sure a it may
describe a lot of things (beside trivial ones).

MaX.