Re: [Usability] Java Look and Feel Design Guidelines vs the HIG

[Bill Wohler <wohler newt com>]

Calum Benson <Calum Benson Sun COM> wrote:

> On 16 Dec 2006, at 17:29, Bill Wohler wrote:
> 
> > I'm embarking on a new project using Java/Swing which is expected to
> > run in a GNU/Linux environment. I'm contemplating using the HIG
> > instead of the JLFDG as I've always done and using the GTK look and
> > feel rather than the default Swing look and feel. I'd be interested in
> > hearing your views on the pros and cons of both of these decisions.
> >
> > Also, does that opinion change if the application is expected to run
> > on more than one platform (like Windows or Mac).
> 
> It won't surprise you to know that we often have the same discussions
> inside Sun :)
> 
> So far, we've always concluded that Java apps should just continue to
> follow the Java guidelines.

Interesting. Thanks for the feedback.

>                              At the same time, we've been continually
> improving the gtk+ L&F for Swing, with the eventual aim that the gtk+
> L&F that will do as much of the work of ensuring GNOME HIG compliance
> as possible, when the Java app is running in a GNOME environment.
> 
> We're certainly not there yet (especially wrt button order and file
> dialogs), but Java 6 is a further improvement over Java 5 in that
> regard.

The other major obvious difference for me besides the button order is
capitalization: headline versus sentence. Wonder if the L&F can fix that
too... ;-)

-- 
Bill Wohler <wohler newt com>  http://www.newt.com/wohler/  GnuPG ID:610BD9AD