Writing Extension Preferences UI for Firefox 1.1
- BenBasson
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- BenBasson
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I couldn't get the pane switcher to show up for my extension: https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=295237. I might be able to work around that bug by adding my own CSS.
I write The Burning Edge and Indistinguishable from Jesse.
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If the preference browser.preferences.instantApply is set to true (the default on Linux/MacOS), then the "Cancel" and "Apply" buttons will be hidden. Changes within that window will instantly update the corresponding preferences.
This is bad -- what if I'm changing preferences and the decide that I've made a mistake? It will also confuse users who expect a cancel button.
- BenBasson
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The default on Windows is to have "cancel" and "apply" buttons as before. The default on MacOS and Linux is to instantly apply preferences, just like every other application on those systems. This won't confuse anyone, on the contrary, it's better design and means that MacOS and Linux users are better catered for.
As for making a mistake, there are few things in the options that can't be undone by rechecking a box or switching a radio button back.
As for making a mistake, there are few things in the options that can't be undone by rechecking a box or switching a radio button back.
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Cusser wrote:As for making a mistake, there are few things in the options that can't be undone by rechecking a box or switching a radio button back.
Umm, hate to be devil's advocate but...
If a particular extension has many many options ( tabs of ) and you are happily checking/unchecking as you go thru each.. but at some point, you see an option that apparently contradicts one from a previous tab ( and you can't remember which ) .. sometimes its better to just click cancel and go thru it all again.. No ?
Those that have extensions that are running all-the-time should also be aware that prefs might change piecemeal and mid-stream
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ausdilecce wrote:If a particular extension has many many options ( tabs of ) and you are happily checking/unchecking as you go thru each.. but at some point, you see an option that apparently contradicts one from a previous tab ( and you can't remember which ) .. sometimes its better to just click cancel and go thru it all again.. No ?
No, it's better if the extension isn't designed badly. Either way, the default on Windows is to have apply and cancel buttons. Users of other operating systems are already using the instant-apply method for loads of apps.
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Ben has written up some docs here: http://developer-test.mozilla.org/en/do ... ces_System