Re: UI design problem - exclusive checkboxes

Koms Bomb wrote:
"Jim Rowell" <x@xxxxx> wrote:

I'd consider a ComboBox for something like that. You can have an
option in the list for "None". It also gives you a little extra
flexibility by letting you have longer text strings than your ui
might otherwise have room for with checkboxes.

The big disadvantage of combo box is it is ambiguous than
buttons because the users have to click it to drop down to
see what options in it.

It's not always the best choice that's true. But I find that people are very
comfortable with them and quite used to them. People automatically click on
them to see what's there.

There's a tendency to get too busy with UI's sometimes and lots of radio
buttons make me cringe.
When I see check boxes properly used, it's because there are parallel
options. Radio buttons make for a quick and clear choice for exclusive
options but beyond maybe 3 of them, you've got too many in my opinion.
That's not carved in stone but I think you need a good reason to use more
than 3.

Once a person has his choices set up, a quick scan of a few combo boxes and
he knows exactly what he's got. Radio buttons add clutter. Of course, it all
depends on the particular design, the application and the audience. There
are no strict rules.

--
Jim Rowell


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