Program Settings: ENABLE HOT KEYS

Dale · 06-13-2010, 02:14 PM

In another thread, Jim brought up an issue that I believe is important to fix before 3.1 is finalized.

I understand that it's apparently late in the "release cycle", and everybody is anxious to get 3.1 out the door.

But since Jim brought up this obvious issue, I don't think it should wait a long time.

Dale · 06-13-2010, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

Frame Rate adjustment - I don't want a keyboard way of doing this.

Too much chance for ugliness caused by little fingers (or paws).

I understand that's a drawback of all Hot Keys.

Your reasoning is, obviously, solid. I had not thought of that.

Now that you've mentioned the reason, I'm sure there should be some way to turn off all of MA3's Hot Keys. (And turn them on).

Some (for instance W and P) could be really more annoying than changing the frame rate.

Please implement a check box in Program Settings to "Enable Hot Keys".

Jim Sachs · 06-13-2010, 02:28 PM

Maybe.

Dale · 06-13-2010, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

Maybe.

Thanks. If done, I suggest default to "Enable Hot Keys" UNchecked, CTRL-R likewise. (That is, Hot Keys OFF)

The Space Bar could follow that, or could be enabled all the time - I can see reasons both ways.

JohnWho · 06-13-2010, 04:42 PM

No matter what one does with the "hotkeys", it can be undone through the various Setting screens, except "wireframe mode" and the "statistics" display, as far as I can see.

Both automatically re-set if you exit MA and then start it up again.

Just an observation.

Dale · 06-13-2010, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by JohnWho:

No matter what one does with the "hotkeys", it can be undone through the various Setting screens, except "wireframe mode" and the "statistics" display, as far as I can see.

Both automatically re-set if you exit MA and then start it up again.

Just an observation.

True - but I'm not sure I understand where you're going with that.

Consider someone who buys MA3 and installs it, and sees the "Settings" screen once for setup - but has no idea about anything else. MA3 works fine, and she gets used to how it looks.

4 months later, while she is out of the room, her kitten walks across her keys. MA3 does some strange things. She restarts it, but it's still doing a few of those strange things. Oh, well.

2 months later, it happens again..... and that nice music stopped playing, too. (zero volume).

Hmmm. This thing is really flakey - I guess I won't recommend it to my brother.

Jim's statement: "Too much chance for ugliness caused by little fingers (or paws)" applies whether it's temporary (until re-start), or permanent (until flddled with).

And why would you want Hot Keys until you've read the Users' Guide (or at least the "About" and "Program Settings" panels).

JohnWho · 06-13-2010, 05:09 PM

Originally posted by Dale:

True - but I'm not sure I understand where you're going with that.

Going nowhere.

Just making an observation.

Jim Sachs · 06-13-2010, 05:12 PM

Considering it.

JohnWho · 06-13-2010, 05:16 PM

Hmm...

disabling "all" of the hotkeys, and turning off "Exit on Mouse Move" may make it a little difficult to Exit the program.

Just another observation.

Jim Sachs · 06-13-2010, 05:30 PM

That's one of the reasons it is taking some consideration. Esc and some non-destructive keys (like left-right arrow keys) would probably be exempt.

Edit: OK, I've considered it and decided that the only really ugly thing that could accidentally happen is Wireframe mode. So, I've decided against the hotkey lock, but will make the Wireframe only work for 10 seconds afer pressing the W key.

Dale · 06-13-2010, 08:50 PM

OK, thanks for considering it. And I think the wireframe change is a good idea, anyhow. [Perhaps a bit longer than 10 seconds though?]

Footnote: it was your idea, after all.

06-13-2010, 02:14 PM	#1
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Program Settings: ENABLE HOT KEYS In another thread, Jim brought up an issue that I believe is important to fix before 3.1 is finalized. I understand that it's apparently late in the "release cycle", and everybody is anxious to get 3.1 out the door. But since Jim brought up this obvious issue, I don't think it should wait a long time.

06-13-2010, 02:28 PM	#3
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,788	Maybe. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

06-13-2010, 04:42 PM	#5
JohnWho Registered Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida Posts: 486	No matter what one does with the "hotkeys", it can be undone through the various Setting screens, except "wireframe mode" and the "statistics" display, as far as I can see. Both automatically re-set if you exit MA and then start it up again. Just an observation. I know you think you understand what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant!

06-13-2010, 05:09 PM	#7
JohnWho Registered Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida Posts: 486	Originally posted by Dale: True - but I'm not sure I understand where you're going with that. Going nowhere. Just making an observation. I know you think you understand what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant!

06-13-2010, 05:12 PM	#8
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,788	Considering it. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

06-13-2010, 02:18 PM	#2
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: Frame Rate adjustment - I don't want a keyboard way of doing this. Too much chance for ugliness caused by little fingers (or paws). I understand that's a drawback of all Hot Keys. Your reasoning is, obviously, solid. I had not thought of that. Now that you've mentioned the reason, I'm sure there should be some way to turn off all of MA3's Hot Keys. (And turn them on). Some (for instance W and P) could be really more annoying than changing the frame rate. Please implement a check box in Program Settings to "Enable Hot Keys".

06-13-2010, 03:29 PM	#4
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: Maybe. Thanks. If done, I suggest default to "Enable Hot Keys" UNchecked, CTRL-R likewise. (That is, Hot Keys OFF) The Space Bar could follow that, or could be enabled all the time - I can see reasons both ways.

06-13-2010, 05:05 PM	#6
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	Originally posted by JohnWho: No matter what one does with the "hotkeys", it can be undone through the various Setting screens, except "wireframe mode" and the "statistics" display, as far as I can see. Both automatically re-set if you exit MA and then start it up again. Just an observation. True - but I'm not sure I understand where you're going with that. Consider someone who buys MA3 and installs it, and sees the "Settings" screen once for setup - but has no idea about anything else. MA3 works fine, and she gets used to how it looks. 4 months later, while she is out of the room, her kitten walks across her keys. MA3 does some strange things. She restarts it, but it's still doing a few of those strange things. Oh, well. 2 months later, it happens again..... and that nice music stopped playing, too. (zero volume). Hmmm. This thing is really flakey - I guess I won't recommend it to my brother. Jim's statement: "Too much chance for ugliness caused by little fingers (or paws)" applies whether it's temporary (until re-start), or permanent (until flddled with). And why would you want Hot Keys until you've read the Users' Guide (or at least the "About" and "Program Settings" panels).

06-13-2010, 05:16 PM	#9
JohnWho Registered Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida Posts: 486	Hmm... disabling "all" of the hotkeys, and turning off "Exit on Mouse Move" may make it a little difficult to Exit the program. Just another observation. I know you think you understand what you thought I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant!

06-13-2010, 05:30 PM	#10
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,788	That's one of the reasons it is taking some consideration. Esc and some non-destructive keys (like left-right arrow keys) would probably be exempt. Edit: OK, I've considered it and decided that the only really ugly thing that could accidentally happen is Wireframe mode. So, I've decided against the hotkey lock, but will make the Wireframe only work for 10 seconds afer pressing the W key. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

06-13-2010, 08:50 PM	#11
Dale Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Western Missouri Posts: 960	OK, thanks for considering it. And I think the wireframe change is a good idea, anyhow. [Perhaps a bit longer than 10 seconds though?] Footnote: it was your idea, after all.