Re: [Gretl-users] Menu re-structuring
> 1- How about dividing the main window vertically so that icon
view is
> available and visible by
> default next to the vertical list of variables. This would be nice
> because I think the icon view is one of the particularly novel and
> useful features of the program and it is not very visible with the
> current setting.
Hmm, I don't know. I feel the window might become a little crammed. Would it
be hard for you to produce a mockup screenshot of what you aven in mind?
Here is a screenshot that I came up with tweaking the existing look
with gimp. Of course the two vertical scroll bars will be visible only
when there are too many variables or icons.
Also, about the small icons on the bottom. Does anyone use them? I
feel that it only serves to launch the icon view and the rest of the
icons next to it are just there to add some spice. If the icon view is
buit-in, then maybe those icons will not be needed anymore. Or it can
become a toolbar that can be turned on or off from the menu.
By the way, in many applications "view" and "edit" menus are common.
Does anyone think this might be a good way to organize the
functionality? I suggest something like this:
File ------------ Tools ---------------- View --------------- Edit
All disk ----- Tables, p-value --- View whole --- sample range,
functions NIST suit, data or select data structure
+ session test statistics vars. Graph transpose
operations + spreadsheet specified vars +all adding
+settings +fn pack editor multiple graph
+start R + console Sumry stats
+exit +find freq. plots
corr matrix
+refresh win
--Test ------------------------ Model
KPSS, runs, hurst Model menu is
x12, tramo as proposed.
+all other relevant
+new ones in time
Also, set missing value code goes to preferences.
>> 2- Multiple UIs! It is known that econometric software can
be
>> intimidating for the uninitiated. The students are often lost within
>> the myriad of tools and options. With the user friendliness in mind,
>> how about gretl having 2 different user interfaces (full and lite for
>> undergrads) which have different set of options visible in the menus.
>> Once the students master more basic tools, they will be able to move
>> on to the higher level, which can be easily set in the options menu.
>> This might be a nice idea to consider for the next versions as gretl
>> becomes more and more powerful.
>
> Sorry, but I'm against this. IMHO, the perception that some people of gretl as
> a toy package, barely good for teaching introductory econometrics is our worst
> enemy. I fear that a "trimmed" version of the menu could increase the risk
of
> peing perceived as "not really suitable for serious use".
I'm also against it. From my experience, it's easy to teach only some
features and the students will just ignore the rest. The only UI
difference that matters imho is between command line (say, like R) and
menus (like gretl).
I agree now. On second thought, this was not a good idea. Multiple IOs
will be confusing also. So how about gretl the game? This is for the
young students. You are the little girl Gretl and you try to save your
brother by performing certain econometric tasks beginning from the
easier ones like plotting. You get points for each tasks and use the
points to unlock new functions. You kill the witch once you are able
to do say, some serious panel analysis. Just kidding Jack :)
Talha
--
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy
enough people to make it worth the effort. - Herm Allbright
(1876-1944)
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