I Do Some Voodoo

December 10th, 2005
Categories: Interaction, Interface, OS X

Comments based on VoodooPad version 2.5.1. Gus, if you’re reading this, the below have already been filed as bugs in your database.

  1. Would it be possible for plug-in developers to specify which menu to add their commands to? Many of the commands available in the Plugin menu would be more logically placed in the Format menu. The Export as Word Document command should be in the File -> Export sub-menu. That these commands are made available through plug-ins is an implementation detail that need not be reflected in the interface.
  2. The Customize Toolbar commands belong in a View menu, even if they are the only ones there.

    Commands for showing, hiding, and customizing a toolbar belong in the View menu. Create a View menu for these commands even if your application doesn’t need to have other commands in the View menu. Show/Hide Toolbar should appear right above Customize Toolbar.

    Apple HIG: The View Menu

  3. The HIG-recommended Show/Hide Toolbar keyboard shortcut is Option-Command-T, which is (as of 10.4) bound to the Character Palette by default. It might make more sense to leave the shortcut bound to the Character Palette, but being able to toggle the toolbar via the keyboard is nice.
  4. If nothing is selected, the “Link” tool should not be available. Currently, selecting Edit -> Link (Command-L) while nothing is selected displays an error message.
  5. Given that they are fairly different, it might make sense to make Report a Bug and Request a Feature separate Help menu items. Selecting either one would open the form set to the proper type of submission.
  6. Also for the Help menu’s Report a Bug/Request a Feature and Give Us Feedback commands, it would be nice if the version numbers of VoodooPad and OS X could be pre-filled. The user’s name and e-mail address could also be pulled in from their address book card.
  7. A comma is missing between the names of M. Uli Kesterer and Dr. Uwe Werner in the Credits window.
  8. The Unlink command does not work with non-contiguous text selections, unlinking only the topmost selection on the page, regardless of selection order.

2 Responses to “I Do Some Voodoo”

  1. Gus Mueller, on December 10th, 2005 at 11:46 PM Said:

    Do I get some award for replying to this within 20 minutes of you posting it?

    1) Yes, it’s possible. A plugin author can get ahold of NSApp’s main menu and then stick in whatever they want. I actually do this all the time for other applications with input managers.

    2) Yea, you’re right. It didn’t used to be this way though, did it? For some reason I thought it used to be under the Window menu.

    3) I’ll see what I can do :)

    4) Actually, I think the link command should be available if your cursor happens to be sitting in a word, or if the cursor is in a linked word. If you hit command-l at that point, it’ll use the word as the new page name, or follow the link if there is already one. You’re right that it shouldn’t be there if it’s just sitting out in whitespace however.

    5) Yea, that’s a good idea.

    6) I’ve actually got the info to pref-ill the VP version stuff. The osx version could be added as well. I’ve just been lazy about it. The name and email address could be added as well, but I know there is going to be a population of people who would get upset about this, so I’m going to leave it out by default. (”What else am I spying on…”)

    7) Fixed for 2.5.2

    8) Akk. I’ll see what I can do.

    I should note, that I’m 99% sure that VP 2.5 is the last “feature” version for the 2.x series. 2.5.x is reserved for bug fixes… so adding something like new menus and such most probably won’t happen till 3.0. I know it might sound silly, but it’s my methodology and I really try to stick to it.

    Thanks!

  2. Membranophonist, on December 11th, 2005 at 1:23 AM Said:

    The Daniel J. Wilson Developer Hyper-Responsiveness Award for 2005 goes to Gus Mueller. :-)

    2) The View menu has been the HIG-specified place for the toolbar commands since at least 10.3. I cannot recall the guideline prior to that release.

    4) Agreed. Providing the Link command in the midst of text is reasonable. I suppose that contrary to my initial comment, the Link command should always be available, thereby eliminating the modality. Perhaps an “Untitled Link” could be created when used in otherwise empty space.

    Your methodology has worked well for you and I would not recommend changing it without more detailed knowledge of it!

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