Ethereal-dev: [Ethereal-dev] "usability extensions"

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From: Ulf Lamping <ulf.lamping@xxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 2 Sep 2002 13:58:58 +0200
Hi List!

I'm thinking about some "usability extensions" and would like to ask the list about suggestions to it.

This would be:

1. Introducing a new submenu item at File, with a "Recent Files" list (below print and above exit, I think). The number of files kept in the list should be in the preferences, with a default of 8 maybe. This would introduce a new file in the home directory maybe called "recent".
The data could be saved in the preferences also, but I would prefer a new file for the recent settings.

2. Keeping the recent display filter settings after program exit. 
The recent filter list at the bottom of the window is currently discarded at program exit.
This information could also be kept in the "recent" file mentioned above.
The number of filter strings kept in the list should also be in the preferences, with a default of 8 maybe.

3. Currently the settings of filters, colorizing and such will simply be discarded at program exit,
if not explicitly saved by the user. This is very confusing for (at least) windows users.
It can be very annoying, if you have set your preferences as you like, and after reopen ethereal,
your settings have gone, because you didn't saved them (as I would expect that this is done 
automatically by pressing the OK button).
But - as I'm not very familiar with unix programs - this could be intentional.

The preferences I used to know will be controlled by the following 3 buttons:

OK: Save and Apply the settings and close the dialog box
Cancel: Ignore the settings currently made and close the dialog box
Apply: Save and Apply the settings but keep the dialog box open

Usually there is no explicit save button, as this is done by the OK or Apply buttons.
The Apply button is not always needed, e.g. at "edit -> capture filters" it would make no sense.


Please send suggestions if you don't like the things mentioned above.

Regards ULFL

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