Decrease velocity contrast works odd

[Sherry C]

Howdy guys,

The current error message implementation is this:

1. If Composer is going to ask a question or give an instruction, then there is a pop up box when the user does the 'wrong' thing. An example is clicking on the Text tab, then Special Symbols. The mode automatically switches to "Add" mode and is ready for the user to add a symbol somewhere in the score. However, if the user clicks on the "Special Symbol" button in the tool palette thinking that they need to click that first, an "information" message comes up, rather than a simple error message. These information messages typically have an "Ok" button to click them away when you're done reading.

2. If it is a 'simple' error message, the error message comes up in the lower left Status Bar, and the background is red for a few seconds, then the red fades away but the error message remains until the user either clicks in the score or performs some edit. An example here is trying to add a note in the score where a note already exists (eg. trying to add a middle C in the top staff in the same time position where a middle C is already in the staff.)

ttfn,
Sherry

[Mark W]

Hi Sherry,

That's funny. I looked at a couple of error messages displayed in red, and forgot that they were shown in red. And then I didn't even continue looking at them to see that the screaming red fades out after some seconds. Hey, that's a good UI, Mark (talking to myself).

But perhaps it could be improved by flashing something down there in the status bar to get the user's attention. Or maybe there is some other better way to further draw the user's attention to the error message in the status bar.

I'm open to suggestions here about improving the feedback to the user about "you asked me to do something that is not permitted" messages.

Cheers
-- Mark

[Sherry C]

Howdy Mark,

Originally Posted by Mark W

But perhaps it could be improved by flashing something down there in the status bar to get the user's attention. Or maybe there is some other better way to further draw the user's attention to the error message in the status bar.

I'm guessing that running lights around the perimeter of the Composer/Musician window might be a bit much?

ttfn,
Sherry

[NotationUser]

I've noticed the read bar but the font in the status line is quite small and black on red isn't well readable either.

Some of the operation methods may be well thought out when you frequently use Notation Software. However I must say some does not work like windows practice and one has to learn the differences...

Just some example about the mouse clicks: In windows one expects on right click context menus to open. In Notation Software I have to do a double left click while right click switches the insertion/selection modes. The two selection modes may be useful but the cursor does not reflect whether I am in region select or in normal select mode - so I have always to check that in the toolbar.