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| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 01:25 #58190 | |
maxand
1637 posts |
My signal context menu reads, from top to bottom: Signal ID Cancel Route (if set) Automatic Working (if signal is automatic) General Reminder Traction Isolation Reminder Interpose Train Description Cancel Train Description I don't know how frequently others use these actions, but I seem to use Interpose and Cancel TDs far more often than any of the others, apart from Cancel Route. May I suggest that these two be moved to above General Reminder and Traction Isolation Reminder, to make it easier to use either with just a single click, as Sacro suggested elsewhere in the forum. I.e., right-click on the signal and while holding the R mouse button down, drag the cursor to Interpose TD or Cancel TD, then release the button; this performs the action required without any further clicking needed so is very fast. Moving these menu options up not only reduces the drag distance but makes this menu more similar to that of the TD berth, which consists of: Interpose Cancel Show timetable May I also suggest that the Automatic Working option be discarded, as it is easier to click on the blue roundel next to the "A" on the panel than to do it from the context menu, which requires opening it first and takes an extra click or movement to select it. Alternatively, move it further down the list, at least below Cancel Train Description. Thanks for reviewing these suggestions. Last edited: 02/04/2014 at 01:36 by maxand Log in to reply |
| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 07:03 #58201 | |
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Noisynoel
989 posts |
I don't see any issue with where each item is in the list. I know where it is and it only takes a milli-second to drag my mouse over it. I also dn't see with having auto working in the drop down. Just because you don't use it doesn't mean others don't.
Noisynoel Log in to reply The following user said thank you: DriverCurran |
| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 08:24 #58207 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
Ah, Noisynoel again. A man untroubled by ergonomic niceties.
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| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 08:51 #58212 | |
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AndyG
1834 posts |
" said:My signal context menu reads, from top to bottom:The menu is arranged in descending order of the uses of the button:- 1) Signal operations (set/cancel routes); 2) placing/removing reminders related to the above; 3) managing TDs associated with that signal. As such, they are placed in the order of frequency of (normal) usage. With the majority of signals changing a TD would be the exception rather than the rule, hence why it's lower down the menu. I can only help one person a day. Today's not your day. Tomorrow doesn't look too good either. Last edited: 02/04/2014 at 08:52 by AndyG Reason: typo Log in to reply |
| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 09:00 #58213 | |
jc92
3629 posts |
" said:Ah, Noisynoel again. A man untroubled by ergonomic niceties.Or another way of looking at it, someone who just gets on with it? Certainly your recent posts have asked me to question myself. I just load a sim up and play it, rather than worrying about an action on a context menu not being in the ideal location etc. (for the record I use the I key to interpose so the context menu actually sits correct for me.) "We don't stop camborne wednesdays" Log in to reply The following users said thank you: DriverCurran, Noisynoel, Signalhunter |
| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 09:54 #58218 | |
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Noisynoel
989 posts |
" said:Ah, Noisynoel again. A man untroubled by ergonomic niceties.No a man just grateful for all the time and effort put in by Geoff and the developers to bring us some fantastic sims! Noisynoel Log in to reply The following users said thank you: DriverCurran, MikeW, GoochyB |
| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 10:08 #58220 | |
Peter Bennet
5360 posts 
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This seems to me to be a question worth asking and taking time to consider even if the answer is - it's fine as it is. Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply The following user said thank you: maxand |
| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 10:19 #58222 | |
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peterb
451 posts |
Another case of personal preference v benefit to everyone else? And speaking of ergonomics, the current layout gives my fingers and brain more exercise. I don't like being lazy. Thanks Geoff et al. Log in to reply |
| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 11:42 #58230 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
peterb wrote: Quote: And speaking of ergonomics, the current layout gives my fingers and brain more exercise. I don't like being lazy. The longer it takes you to click-drag to get to where you want, the more you are setting up the tendons in that finger for RSI later in life. It may not be that much further, but it all adds up. Much has been written about this - here is just one article. Of course, you can Interpose using the I key, etc. But having tried Sacro's method, I was impressed with its efficiency as long as the distance is kept to a minimum. I Interpose and Cancel TDs a lot more often than placing and removing collars. But let's put this into perspective. This is only a suggestion for a minor cosmetic change, for reasons of comfort and efficiency. No one is being pressured to do anything. I won't feel it's the end of the world if it's not adopted. Quote: Another case of personal preference v benefit to everyone else? You sound as if you're convinced everyone else feels the way you do. I can only speak from personal experience. (post edited while peterb was replying) Last edited: 02/04/2014 at 11:57 by maxand Log in to reply |
| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 11:45 #58231 | |
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peterb
451 posts |
" said:The longer it takes to click-drag to get to where you want, the more you are setting yourself up for RSI later in life.Good job I don't 'click-drag' then. Right click, left click. " said: You sound as if you're convinced everyone else feels the way you do.No, actually. Log in to reply |
| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 15:56 #58244 | |
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Sacro
1171 posts |
A cosmetic change would be renaming the labels, you'd then get people complain that the functions are wrong and you'd need a functional change. This would upset those of us who have being here for over a decade and are fine with it this way.
Log in to reply The following users said thank you: Signalhunter, delticfan |
| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 16:00 #58245 | |
GeoffM
6282 posts
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" said:May I also suggest that the Automatic Working option be discarded, as it is easier to click on the blue roundel next to the "A" on the panel than to do it from the context menu, which requires opening it first and takes an extra click or movement to select it.For you it may be easier but that doesn't mean it's wrong, or ergonomically incorrect. It all depends on how you use the sim and there is often more than one way of doing something. FWIW this option was added for future work where "A" buttons are not visible to the signaller. SimSig Boss Log in to reply The following users said thank you: Signalhunter, robert |
| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 16:07 #58247 | |
Steamer
3922 posts |
" said:Out of interest, where would this be the case? "Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q) Log in to reply |
| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 16:08 #58248 | |
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Lardybiker
771 posts |
I am fine with it as is and I wouldn't be surprised to hear that the majority, like me, don't really care what the order is. I am sure that if someone had a problem with it, they'd have raised the question before now. As for RSI...I think its far more likely for me from using my PC for 8 hours a day at work programming than because I have to scroll down a bit in a SimSig sim to change a TD once every now and again!!! Log in to reply The following users said thank you: DriverCurran, delticfan, BarryM |
| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 16:26 #58250 | |
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jc92
3629 posts |
" said:" said:some miniature lever frames have/had a automatic working function where the lever could simply be left reversed and it would work automatically (signal 1 at liverpool lime st. being a good example.) in these cases there is no visible indication of automatic working, just box knowledge.Out of interest, where would this be the case? I think this may not apply to anything that Geoff is indicating though unless its something special to replicate a real interface like a LUL sim for instance. "We don't stop camborne wednesdays" Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Steamer |
| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 16:30 #58251 | |
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GeoffM
6282 posts
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" said:" said::whistle: Don't want people to get RSI from typing "is it ready"!Out of interest, where would this be the case? 
SimSig Boss Log in to reply The following users said thank you: Steamer, Josie |
| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 18:58 #58259 | |
lazzer
605 posts
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How HAVE I managed for the last seven years with the signal context menu in the wrong order?
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| Rearrange signal context menu 02/04/2014 at 19:18 #58262 | |
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Stephen Fulcher
2026 posts
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Whilst this suggestion might seem frivolous to some, I wonder if it is being dismissed partially because of the person who suggested it? I agree with Peter Bennet that it is perhaps worthy of discussion, although I personally see no reason to change it as it works fine for me (if I use it at all, which I often don't), and would never use it for the TD interpose function even if I had the right click cancels route option switched off, because I find pressing "I" easier. There does seem to be a substantial anti-Maxand approach on this forum of late, which is getting a little boring to read in all honesty. Many people respond to "have a dig" to things he suggests without actually having anything useful to add either. Log in to reply The following users said thank you: delticfan, Temple Meads, Signalhunter, maxand, Forest Pines |
| Rearrange signal context menu 03/04/2014 at 01:27 #58284 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
GeoffM wrote: Quote: FWIW this option was added for future work where "A" buttons are not visible to the signaller.In that case there's no justification for removing it! As far as the order of menu options goes, out of all the responses to my original post, no one has so far said "Actually, I add collars (reminders) more frequently than I Interpose or Cancel". Which supports my proposal. It doesn't matter who proposes this change, since as a general design rule the most frequently accessed items in a menu list should be nearer the top than the bottom. While I can see from your responses that most don't care one way or the other and are quite happy with the status quo, I bet that if Interpose and Cancel were moved up as suggested, six months down the track you'd all be so used to the new menu that you "wouldn't have it any other way" and it would seem perfectly logical. That's psychology for you. Despite Sacro's comments in post #11, I don't think anyone would complain that the functions are wrong, since each menu option would still be matched to its corresponding function. Cosmetic menu changes are simple and quick to implement, but should always be mentioned in the changelog. I feel I've said enough in this thread, so no further input from me. Thanks everyone. Last edited: 03/04/2014 at 01:30 by maxand Log in to reply |
| Rearrange signal context menu 03/04/2014 at 10:05 #58291 | |
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kbarber
1712 posts |
" said:
Of course the alternative view is that those items that might be more important in an emergency should be first on the list, no matter how rarely they're used. Lever collars are always conveniently to hand. Often several are stacked on a spare lever where they can be grabbed easily; ideally there's several spares distrubuted around the frame with a couple on each. Otherwise they'll be on the block shelf, again in piles of 2 or 3 at intervals (I've even seen them on hooks on the front of the shelf). The same goes for button covers on panels, although in their case they're often scattered (at top or bottom according to whether they're magnetic or not) along the length of the panel. And every box I've ever been in (including on heritage lines) has had at least three detonators good and handy to be grabbed if they should be needed. Which is as it should be. Ideally they will remain thus until they become out of date and are replaced, unused, by another set that will likewise remain untouched. But the last thing I'd want to be doing, if I've had 6 bells and there's something about, is rooting about in a locker for the dets I know are there somewhere... Log in to reply The following user said thank you: maxand |
| Rearrange signal context menu 03/04/2014 at 10:11 #58292 | |
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maxand
1637 posts |
Not a bad idea. Maybe there should be an extra menu option "Place detonators".
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| Rearrange signal context menu 03/04/2014 at 10:13 #58293 | |
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Peter Bennet
5360 posts
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We can then add a sound for them. Peter I identify as half man half biscuit - crumbs! Log in to reply The following user said thank you: Forest Pines |
| Rearrange signal context menu 03/04/2014 at 10:58 #58299 | |
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jc92
3629 posts |
" said:Not a bad idea. Maybe there should be an extra menu option "Place detonators".could work for any mechanical box, but I doubt you'd see someone run out of West Hampstead PSB with a trio of Detonators... to further this, Keith didn't mention detonator placers and their respective levers in a box, but normally these don't necessarily sit at a signal, but a convenient location within the signal boxes station limits. (not sure an equivelant exists in power signalling?). "We don't stop camborne wednesdays" Log in to reply |
| Rearrange signal context menu 03/04/2014 at 11:25 #58303 | |
pedroathome
887 posts
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" said:OK Maxand, I'm going to say it. While yes I do interpose headcodes more often than apply or remove reminders, I only ever use the "I" key to do this. Never the right click menu, which for your information involves pressing shift and then right click (I have it set up that way as it is by far more easy for me to use. Secondly, while I use reminders a lot, mostly for routing purposes. If I see a reminder on the main running line, then I know the train goes else where. I use the clock menu 99% of the time to do this, again not the right click menu. As others have previously said to you on here, and I may be putting it in another way here, if you spent the time which you spend complaining about the way things work, and spend that playing a sim, I think you will find that you will actually find out that what is there works fine as it is. When you start learning how to adapt SimSig to work for you, rather than you want SimSig to work exactly how you want (and then not for everyone else), you will easily be able to master larger sims as well. I can easily run Bristol alone, and other sims of that size. James Log in to reply The following users said thank you: peterb, lazzer, robert |
| Rearrange signal context menu 03/04/2014 at 11:59 #58306 | |
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Forest Pines
525 posts |
" said:We can then add a sound for them.The "Output Shrapnel" option might be trickier though. Log in to reply The following users said thank you: kbarber, LucasLCC, Steamer |