Selection

The following discuss selection methods.

Single select lists

The goal for single selection is to allow the user to make a selection, visually see that a selection was made, and then move on with the minimum number of keystrokes. The process of moving in the form (<Tab> or <Esc>) selects the item shown by an asterisk next to the item. The finalizing of the choice occurs when you leave the field. (Policy) (See Keyboard Mapping, <Esc>.) For single-select lists, Autoselect is turned ``on''.

Multiple-select lists

The goal of multiple-select lists is for a user to make multiple selections, visually see the marked selections, and then move on with the minimum number of keystrokes and with no ambiguity over what items are in fact selected. <Space> marks the selection, shown by an asterisk (*) next to each item selected. (Policy).

• Arrow down the list and incrementally select all the list objects you want with <Space>. The asterisk follows as the highlight moves, and when <Space> is pressed, the asterisk is set next to the object, and the selected object is set to bold. For multiple-select lists, Autoselect is turned to "off". (Policy).

Drop-down lists (option menus & combo boxes)

Selecting from drop-down lists is similar to selecting a single object from a list. (Policy).

• <Down> or <Up> arrow keys drop open the drop-down list. (Policy).

• <Esc> on a non-extended drop-down list moves to the next <Tab> group or performs the default action as defined by the designer. (Customize)

• Arrow keys move through the list in an extended drop-down list. (Policy)

• <Tab> on an extended drop down list accepts and moves onto the next <Tab> group. (Policy)

• <Esc> on an extended drop-down list accepts the selection and moves to the next <Tab> group or performs the designer-defined default action. (Customize)

• Behavior of <Esc> must be designer-defined so that <Esc> does not close the list and stay on the drop-down list field. <Esc> must move to the next <Tab> group or execute the default action.

• <Esc> from an extended drop-down list leaves the list with the same item selected as when entering the list (cancels any selection). (Policy)

Toggle buttons

Toggling buttons is accomplished in one step for Radio buttons, and is performed the same way as single-select lists for check boxes. (Policy)

Radio buttons

• Radio buttons are grouped in a Radio box <Tab> group. (Policy)

• Arrow keys move across the radio buttons within the Radio box. Whatever radio button the user is currently selected (with the arrow key), is the one that displays the checked status (*). (Policy)

Check boxes

• Check boxes are either grouped in tab groups or stand alone. (Policy)

• Arrow keys move between check boxes (if multiple check boxes are used), <Space> selects and deselects, very much like a multiple-select list. (Policy)

Selection highlighting

In list selection:

• Set focus to one item in a list at all times the keyboard focus is in the list. When a list has the focus, one highlight shows the current selection (if single select), or last selected item (in multiple-select). In both cases below, the list object is highlighted until the list field is exited with <Tab> or <Esc> (policy based on customize for setting one item focus in a list).

• In the single-select list, the highlight should be set onto whatever is currently selected or the first item if nothing has been previously selected by the user. (Policy)

• In the multiple-select list, the highlight should be set onto the last item selected by the user if something has been previously selected. Highlight should be on the first list item if this is the first time the list was visited. (Customize - working on policy)

• When the user presses <Tab> or <Esc> to leave the list, the highlight goes away, but the asterisk stays to mark the selection and the selected object(s) are set to bold. (Policy)

  In browser (drawn) lists, one item must be selected at all times, like other lists. (Customize)

For drawn-list graphics and icons, do not translate the icons unless the information they convey is important. They are a convenient redundancy for the GUI version (shortcut to the examine attributes/properties command), but add confusion to the character interface.