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| Eliminate "Parameter 1" window from Place Calls 10/07/2013 at 14:00 #46905 | |
maxand
1637 posts |
This refers to the Westbury sim but I think it must be the same throughout all recent sims, hence am posting in Features wish list section. What currently happens is: From the Telephone Calls window, click "Place Call", select destination, then click "Dial". When connected, make selection from "Request/message" drop-down list, then click "Send request/message", whence a window titled "Parameter 1" opens with a field titled "Enter train". This is a poor design because: - "Parameter 1" is nerdish. Signallers aren't expected to be that computer-literate. - As soon as the "Parameter 1" window opens, being modal, it locks the position of the Place Call window. Hence the user has to remember to be careful not to block the headcode of the train he is phoning in about - not a big issue, but annoying when it occurs. If this happens the only option is to close the Parameter 1 window and start again. - It's unnecessary to open a special window just to enter the headcode, when this could easily be done within the original Place Call window. - It looks as if the developer forgot to include a field for the headcode in the main Place Call window, and added that to the "Send request/message" button as an afterthought. The way to fix this is to get rid of the "Send request/message" button altogether, include a field for Train Description in the Place Call window, and have three buttons at the bottom of the window: "Send", "Hang up" and "Hang up and close". Clicking "Send" will create a response in the Response field. Log in to reply |
| Eliminate "Parameter 1" window from Place Calls 10/07/2013 at 14:20 #46909 | |
headshot119
4869 posts |
" said:This refers to the Westbury sim but I think it must be the same throughout all recent sims, hence am posting in Features wish list section.The way phone calls are handled within the sims has changed thanks to the work of Geoff and Clive to include the ability for developers to create custom phone calls through data, rather than through custom code, or other means. - "Parameter 1" is nerdish. Signallers aren't expected to be that computer-literate. The new data phone calls allow this to be changed, as it's now possible to request information other than headcodes in phone calls. - As soon as the "Parameter 1" window opens, being modal, it locks the position of the Place Call window. Hence the user has to remember to be careful not to block the headcode of the train he is phoning in about - not a big issue, but annoying when it occurs. If this happens the only option is to close the Parameter 1 window and start again. This I believe hasn't changed. - It's unnecessary to open a special window just to enter the headcode, when this could easily be done within the original Place Call window. I'll admit that as the only information inputted at the moment is train headcodes, it does not make sense to have an extra window. However as the new data calls allow for other information to be inputted, it seems more logical to me to have an extra window, as each call may request completely different types and amounts of data than another call. - It looks as if the developer forgot to include a field for the headcode in the main Place Call window, and added that to the "Send request/message" button as an afterthought. I don't agree (At least not with the ability that the new data phone calls give). As you won't always know what input you need to give before you have made the initial phone call. "Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer Log in to reply |
| Eliminate "Parameter 1" window from Place Calls 10/07/2013 at 15:13 #46912 | |
jc92
3630 posts |
" said:- As soon as the "Parameter 1" window opens, being modal, it locks the position of the Place Call window. Hence the user has to remember to be careful not to block the headcode of the train he is phoning in about - not a big issue, but annoying when it occurs. If this happens the only option is to close the Parameter 1 window and start again.how short is your memory! "We don't stop camborne wednesdays" Last edited: 10/07/2013 at 15:16 by jc92 Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Steamer |
| Eliminate "Parameter 1" window from Place Calls 11/07/2013 at 09:33 #46979 | |
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kbarber
1712 posts 
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" said:" said:- As soon as the "Parameter 1" window opens, being modal, it locks the position of the Place Call window. Hence the user has to remember to be careful not to block the headcode of the train he is phoning in about - not a big issue, but annoying when it occurs. If this happens the only option is to close the Parameter 1 window and start again.how short is your memory! But it wouldn't be the first time I've answered a call without looking properly at a headcode... (Well, they say confession is good for the soul!  )
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| Eliminate "Parameter 1" window from Place Calls 11/07/2013 at 09:44 #46980 | |
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clive
2738 posts |
" said:As headshot119 says, this is going to change as developers change how they do phone calls. Quote: Completely agree. Quote: Modal windows are something to be avoided where possible. Particularly modal stacks. Quote: I'm less sure about "easily", but I agree that this might be a better way to present it. Quote: Not the developer's fault; it's the way the core code is structured. Quote: I don't know that I agree, but this area could certainly do with a review. I've raised a report on our bugboard to review this. If any changes are made, they will apply automatically to Loader-type sims as soon as the Loader is updated (this is a good example of the benefits of changing to the Loader). Log in to reply |
| Eliminate "Parameter 1" window from Place Calls 11/07/2013 at 10:42 #46985 | |
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AndyG
1835 posts |
" said:" said:Only marginally more than a goldfish. What was the erm.... :huh:- As soon as the "Parameter 1" window opens, being modal, it locks the position of the Place Call window. Hence the user has to remember to be careful not to block the headcode of the train he is phoning in about - not a big issue, but annoying when it occurs. If this happens the only option is to close the Parameter 1 window and start again.how short is your memory! I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either. Log in to reply |
| Eliminate "Parameter 1" window from Place Calls 27/07/2013 at 22:15 #47645 | |
GeoffM
6285 posts |
Having to enter the headcode is a deliberate ploy to make you think rather than willy-nillyingly auto-filling from some other field - same as authorising a train past a signal at danger. Of course you could probably make some keystroke macro but that's defeating the object somewhat. Think yourself lucky I haven't gotten around to voice recognition. Yet. :evil: SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Eliminate "Parameter 1" window from Place Calls 28/07/2013 at 02:18 #47649 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
I don't recall suggesting that the headcode be automatically transferred, and creating a macro would I agree detract from the realism, because the scenario is a simulation of a phone call from signaller to shunter reduced to a minimum of options, plus the headcode. Where I do think this could be streamlined would be to dispense with the separate modal box just for the headcode and to include the headcode field in the parent window (Place Call...). Everything else can be contained in the one window, so why not the headcode too? Then the window could be moved out of the way if it happens to be blocking the headcode, etc. I hope you don't introduce voice recognition soon. I'd have to stop speaking Strine. Log in to reply |
| Eliminate "Parameter 1" window from Place Calls 28/07/2013 at 04:28 #47650 | |
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GeoffM
6285 posts |
" said:I don't recall suggesting that the headcode be automatically transferredAh, my apologies. Read too much into that and your other suggestions on other topics. Not just headcode: it's open-ended - I think I've only ever seen 2 parameters used, but there could be more depending on whatever the developer codes. SimSig Boss Log in to reply |
| Eliminate "Parameter 1" window from Place Calls 28/07/2013 at 04:45 #47651 | |
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Lardybiker
771 posts |
As Clive mentioned earlier, the solution is not as simple as has been suggested. It only deals with one possible usage of a phone call here but when dealing with the data that creates a phone call, the developer currently has the flexibility to have the signaler enter whatever data is necessary to complete that call. This could mean using more than one piece of information and those pieces of information could be either numeric or a string. So entering a head code entry is only on possible use of a phone call but it certainly isn't the only one. Whilst the suggested solution may simplify entering a head code, it doesn't address if more than one piece of information is desired? I agree the window title is not helpful, that can probably be dealt with quite easily. However, while the modal form itself can cause a few problems, it's also very covenant to ensure the user enters a value. As Clive says, there may be a better way to do it but simply removing it and replacing it with a single field on the previous screen may work just for the headcode isn't going to be flexible enough for some scenarios. Log in to reply |