Topic       : The ATARI Compendium
Author      : Scott Sanders / JAY Software
Version     : 1.25 (20/6/2003)
Subject     : Documentation
Nodes       : 1117
Index Size  : 32614
HCP-Version : 6
Compiled on : Atari
@charset    : UTF-8
@lang       : en
@default    : 
@help       : %About
@options    : +g -i -t4 +y +z
@width      : 100
View Ref-File
                                   Alerts



Alerts are special dialog boxes which provide information and/or
a limited choice of options to the user. Alerts are often used to
present an error condition to the user or to inform them of a choice.
Some basic rules regarding alert boxes follow:

   ∙ In general apply rules regarding button text (such as
     capitalization, the default object, etc.) to alerts.

   ∙ Whenever possible, provide the user with more than one option in an
     alert box. Alerts with only one button are frustrating and should only
     be used when only one possible course of action exists.

   ∙ Never provide an 'OK' button and a 'Cancel' button when either button
     will lead to the same action/inaction.

   ∙ Avoid using the word 'error' or any other text which might blame the
     user.

   ∙ If an error has occurred, suggest a remedy (possibly using a dialog
     box for data reentry).

   ∙ Use 'Cannot' instead of 'Can't' or 'Can not'.

   ∙ If an error alert might occurring during multi-tasking while another
     process has focus, make the first line of the alert text the program
     name followed by a colon.

   ∙ A message such as "Not enough memory to load file TEST.DOC." is much
     better than "Insufficient memory."

   ∙ Minor warnings to a user might become increasingly apparent by having
     the response to the first incorrect action be the system bell and the
     second occurrence being a dialog box politely guiding the user along.

   ∙ Message text should be left-aligned.

   ∙ If message text is too long to fit into the 5 line/30 character per
     line limit, consider downsizing the message for clarity, or if
     necessary, place the alert in a form. Never use consecutive alerts.

   ∙ Alerts should be capitalized by standard grammatical rules and should
     be punctuated with a period or question mark (not an exclamation
     mark).

Alerts boxes may be displayed with one of three icons (or no icon at
all). The following lists examples of when to use a specific icon:

            #       Icon      Uses

            0       No Icon   Program credits, reminders, general
                              help

            1                 Error conditions, conditions
                              requirings immediate action

            2                 Inquiries, most confirmations


            3                 Potentially program-fatal errors,
                              confirmations of an irreversible
                              action

            4                 Informational alerts. These usually
                              have only an 'OK' button. Alerts
                              with more than one choice might be
                              better suited for the question
                              mark icon

            5                 General disk errors and requests