TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Brainstorm for toolbar button From:Sarah Lee Bihlmayer <tecscrib -at- SIRIUS -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 29 Nov 1995 09:46:19 -0700
I've gotta give this default-button question a shot.
Here's an idea: since products are shipped with default settings, you could
describe their usage as "doing it by the book." How about an icon that
looks like a book of some sort? Perhaps open and shown at an
over-the-shoulder sort of angle to distinguish it from other possible
meanings.
Then there's Kevin Harper's comment:
>But is a toolbar button that displays a defaults dialog really necessary?
This is a good point, and I have to agree that I've never seen this sort of
button on a toolbar either. However, a default button might be useful in
dialogs...many apps I use heavily have a Default button (marked with text)
that the user can click to return the settings to the program defaults.
There is an added benefit--using icon buttons can also help to reduce the
physical size of dialogs.
Sarah Lee Bihlmayer
"God is in the details." --Frank Lloyd Wright
Sarah Lee Bihlmayer
Print and Online Documentation Specialist
Technical Writing * Technical/Developmental/Copy/Production Editing
Technical Illustration * Electronic Prepress * Graphic Design
POB 27901-312, San Francisco CA 94127 * 415-207-4046 * tecscrib -at- sirius -dot- com
