Using the same image for min, max, close. Why?
Monday, December 17, 2001 by StarmanNJ | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
Hi all,
I've been using skins for a LONG time. The number one gripe I have is that skinners don't make different images for min, max, and close. When they're the same, it's impossible to know which ones are used when you don't get all 3. There are times you'll get a max button only, or a close button only. How is a user supposed to know what the button means if all three are skinned with the same image? This is VERY BAD user interface design and I hope that skinners stop this immature practice of "coolness" vs. "usefulness".
Mike
I've been using skins for a LONG time. The number one gripe I have is that skinners don't make different images for min, max, and close. When they're the same, it's impossible to know which ones are used when you don't get all 3. There are times you'll get a max button only, or a close button only. How is a user supposed to know what the button means if all three are skinned with the same image? This is VERY BAD user interface design and I hope that skinners stop this immature practice of "coolness" vs. "usefulness".
Mike
oinky
Reply #2 Monday, December 17, 2001 3:47 PM
Reply #2 Monday, December 17, 2001 3:47 PM
I feel that the art of skinning is in the balance between functionality and aesthetics. It can't be too much of either, or else the skin is unusable or boring (with a few exceptions). Details like the window buttons are the artist's choice. It's fine with me if you don't like it, I actually share your opinion. I just don't like to see someone's choice denounced as flat out wrong and immature. It's just a different style that some don't like, not a universal evil.
XX
Reply #3 Monday, December 17, 2001 4:11 PM
Reply #3 Monday, December 17, 2001 4:11 PM
ya should try my watery skin then lol.
it just has a single button ( if you dont count windows icon on other side... )
it just has a single button ( if you dont count windows icon on other side... )
GreenReaper
Reply #4 Monday, December 17, 2001 6:16 PM
Reply #4 Monday, December 17, 2001 6:16 PM
Yes. *If* you want your skins to be usable, this is a very bad mistake to make. Buttons should be big. They should be easily identifiable. They should be in a consistent position. The should do the same thing every time. Sure, you *can* put buttons wherever you want, and in many cases (like rollup) it may be desireable to separate them from the regular ones to avoid confusion, but overall, if, say, the close button isn't clearly marked, users are going to be lost.
Again, as others have said, if you're making it just for yourself, fine, do as you like. But the reason you put it up here is that you want others to be able to use it, right? I get a real kick out of knowing that people I consider good friends use my skins. Generally, this won't happen if you haven't got an intuitive interface, and that means either being a *really* good UI designer, or putting the darn buttons where everyone expects them to be. *g*
Again, as others have said, if you're making it just for yourself, fine, do as you like. But the reason you put it up here is that you want others to be able to use it, right? I get a real kick out of knowing that people I consider good friends use my skins. Generally, this won't happen if you haven't got an intuitive interface, and that means either being a *really* good UI designer, or putting the darn buttons where everyone expects them to be. *g*
TasT
Reply #5 Monday, December 17, 2001 8:17 PM
Reply #5 Monday, December 17, 2001 8:17 PM
If you use one of my skinz most do not have the buttons marked except on mouseover, However the Min, Max and Restore are in the standard place. I believe that you will find that this is the case with most WB skinz.
paxx
Reply #6 Monday, December 17, 2001 10:31 PM
Reply #6 Monday, December 17, 2001 10:31 PM
I myself also prefer to have the buttons marked. Actually, I don't use any skin where the buttons aren't identified clearly (mouse-over don't count). I've been had a few time, where I close when I wanted to max, or other similar scenario. Or loose time hovering over the buttons trying to figure out which does what. I will never ask an author to identify his buttons just for little me, artists are free to do as they want. I just never use any of those skins. 
Jafo
Reply #7 Tuesday, December 18, 2001 1:41 AM
Reply #7 Tuesday, December 18, 2001 1:41 AM
Well...I mark all of mine, but put them in places other than the norm...why?....Because if the darn things were plainly visible and marked and in the 'usual' spot, they may as well be the default un-skinned gui.....besides, I get a kick out of doing something StylesXP cannot...
zathrus
Reply #8 Tuesday, December 18, 2001 2:38 AM
Reply #8 Tuesday, December 18, 2001 2:38 AM
"besides, I get a kick out of doing something StylesXP cannot..."
Heh you rebel, you.
Heh
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Reply #1 Monday, December 17, 2001 3:39 PM
I also prefer obvious buttons, but not all GUI interfaces are set up that way. You always have the choice to use a different skin, or replace the buttons with something more to your liking.