On Feb 16, 2004, at 1:13 PM, Ulf Lamping wrote:
> Biot Olivier wrote:
>> Hi list,
>> As I understood from some mails on the list, some people are looking for
>> development work :) I think one big accomplishment would be to support
>> multiple open captures. This will require a rethink of the global variables
>> used throughout the code. (maybe we want a file declaring all global
>> variables for *any* Ethereal UI, or say the Ethereal core).
> Do you think of a multiple document interface (MDI) window?
I think that multiple open captures could be implemented with several very nice methods other than MDI.
Having thought about this for a while, here's my suggestion on what I'd really like to see:
Up to three different modes:
- Show all in separate Windows:
Similar to what happens today, all "statistics" info and packet analysis created in independent
windows. New packet analysis module (what I'm calling the module with packet list, decode
pane, and hex pane) exist simply in independent windows
- "Group" modules by trace:
All analysis modules relating to a particular trace are grouped into the same tabbed window
as the trace itself. That is, when performing statistics creation against the trace (conversation
list, summary module, etc) each new module is displayed in the same window as the trace,
but a "tab" is added in a small navigation bar, allowing the user to "flip" quickly between the
related modules. Other traces would simply be created in new windows, and modules created
relating to that trace would be created within the window itself. (But NO MDI)
- Group all modules:
Similar to above, but all traces/statistics windows/etc are grouped in the same window as
separate, tab-accessible modules. To help identify which statistics display belongs to which
trace, trace/statistics tabs could be color-coded or otherwise marked.
Perhaps only two modes would work, and modules could be "Docked" into a trace window at will
by the user (somewhat like how the toolbar could be originally "separated" or "docked" with the
packet analysis window).
I think the above would be especially helpful if multiple capture support is added, and Ethereal
eventually allows automatic filtering into a new window/trace file.
I think that MDI is terrible for Human Interface reasons, but I think that an intelligent combination of
multiple windows/tabbed windows are a very good way to manage multiple, related displays of
information.
Ian