Re: [Gretl-users] menu layout (was questions about translation details)
Allin Cottrell wrote:
"Data" menu: Basically contains "things you might want
to do with more
than one variable" -- other than constructing a model, which has its own
menu branch. Examples: graphing, summary statistics, etc. Plus some
things pertaining to the data set as a whole -- other than setting the
sample range, which again has its own branch. Examples: edit values,
read informative text, if any.
Ok I understand it better now: for example I realized that the
"data"-commands work with the currently selected sample and never (?)
with the entire dataset. Nevertheless, having things like "sort
variables" and "mahalanobis distances" in the same menu is a bit
difficult to understand.
Therefore I would at least suggest to group the commands together that
are related to dataset-management. (Right now there are some at the top
and some at the bottom.) As a result the "data" menu would have two main
blocks, one for management commands, and one for descriptive statistics
(loosely speaking).
"Sample" menu: The core functionality here is setting the sample range
in various ways. Some other functions have been added here (e.g. set
dataset structure, transpose data), and the location of these extra
items may be debatable.
Yes I would still argue that putting those in the data menu would be
better. After all, that was the starting point of my confusion.
> 1. graph specified vars (-> "sample")
I'll resist that. The Sample menu is basically about resetting the
sample, not performing operations on subsets of variables.
ok, makes sense now that I understand the purpose of the sample menu,
and provided the above changes are made.
I can see a case for creating a "Dataset" menu branch, and putting all
(and only) items dealing with the entire dataset (other than sampling?)
in there (that would include some items that are currently under "Data"
and a few that are currently under Sample, such as transpose).
That leaves a problem with the items that are currently under Data but
that would not fall under the new "Dataset". And I'd really prefer not
to increase the total number of menu branches, if possible. Hmmm. I'll
think about this some more.
I agree that the menu should not grow beyond the 7 branches (+1 help).
That's why I suggested to divide the data menu into two groups. (On the
other hand, compared to the other menus the "session" menu is quite an
outlier with only 4 entries, one of which has a toolbar button, and then
the two save-variants. I could imagine subsuming that entire menu under
the "file"-menu, after all that's were files are opened and saved... but
hey, it's not my intention to turn the gretl menu structure upside down
and irritate all longtime and faithful gretl users! So maybe you
shouldn't follow my suggestions too literally ;-)
Whatever you decide, if there's going to be some cleanup, I'm glad.
cheers,
Sven