Stuart Brorson wrote:
Aaron --
- Don't use the middle button for hardly anything. Number of reasons
here, one of which is linux typically uses this to paste from the
clipboard/kill ring, which would be acceptable. Also, if the application
was to be run under windows using Cygwin, or whatever, it wouldn't be
usable.
Some of these are newbie issues. You don't need to ever use the
middle mouse button. See below.
- Menu options that have command shortcuts should use the form
Ctrl+<key> instead of a one-two letter combination.
The two letter combo works great once you get used to it. This is a
newbie issue -- I felt the same way when I first tried out the
program. Later I decided that the two letter combo works great.
So, I guess this is my main point, which was also brought up by David,
is that, this serves to only increase the barrier of entry. I wasn't
necessarily arguing Ctrl+<key> is any better, its just what everyone
expects (windows or not).
- Create standard operating cut/copy/paste (would probably eliminate the
buffer menu and the 'copy mode' type usage).
There are architectural reasons for this.
- Though not critical, I did notice it happening frequently: I would
move or resize a component or net, and I'd have to manually go to
View/Redraw to redraw a missing line or something. This option should
not need to exist at all.
Hmmm, this shouldn't happen. What version of the program are you using?
I'm using gschem 20050820, on FC4/Athlon64, dual head setup. I can
provide more info if it helps.
- I found the fairly simple act of moving components and nets difficult.
This was primarily due to having to use the middle button. These types
of operations should be seamless to anyone that has used a drawing
program before.
To move a net or component easily, do:
1. Select the object my left clicking on it.
2. Hit the "m" key. Then the object will follow the cursor as you
move the mouse.
3. When you wish to place the component in motion, hit the left mouse
button.
- If menu options indicate some current state (like, Options/Net Rubber
Band), they should change depending on the state, for example, if the
option is on, add a check mark next to the option.
These are a few of the primary things I noticed that I think can easily
turn people away from this program, and if fixed, will have a great
value. Depending on how my search for other EDA tools goes, I may
download the source and start fixing some of these myself.
We welcome developers, and have discussed these user interface issues
off and on over the years. If you wish to make changes, please feel
free to hack and submit patches. Personally, I wouldn't mind it if
you could just select a component with the left mouse button, and then
drag it like in most Windoze programs. This change wouldn't be hard
to implement. Want to give it a try? I wouldn't want to remove the
"select, type m, then move" action, but an additional action using the
left mouse button wouldn't hurt.
I'll keep in my mind maintaining current operating modes when I work on
the code.
Stuart
