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Windows Interface A Summary of GUI Guidelines Fundamental Input Elements In general, the mouse is the preferred means of interacting with an application in the Windows environment. Windows applications should provide keyboard access that generally parallels mouse access. Techniques should be optimized for the input device and the nature of the application. In applications requiring intensive keyboard work, e.g., intensive data entry application, keyboard access would be preferred. Mouse Mouse Operations Mouse Button 1 (by default the left button) is the selection button. Button 1 is used for most mouse actions Mouse Button 2 (by default the right button) evokes context-specific actions and options. Additional buttons may be supported. Common usage of mouse operations using Button 1 are as follows.
Pressing down the button "proposes" a mouse action. Releasing the button confirms the action. There are exceptions (e.g., pressing the button when the pointer is over the scroll arrow initiates scrolling). Note: Please see the Microsoft Design Guide for a detailed discussion of mouse operations. Guidelines for Mouse Operations Mouse operations should not require extraordinary hand-eye coordination. Objects should be large enough to point at and click on without extraordinarily precise positioning. `A "hot zone" around an object also facilitates manipulation. Double-clicks and double-drags may be difficult for some users; provide alternatives to these manipulations. Unless the application is a game, do not require the user to point at a moving object. Keyboard Input Please see the Microsoft Design Guide for a discussion of text and editing keys. Mode Keys Mode keys modify the actions of other keys. Toggle and modifier keys are mode keys. A toggle key turns the mode assigned to it on and off with each click. Toggle keys include ins, caps lock, num lock, scroll lock, f8, shift+f8. Please see the Microsoft Design Guide for a description of the function of each. A modifier key establishes a mode while the key remains depressed. The user must actively maintain the mode. Please see the Microsoft Design Guide for a description of the typical function of each. Navigation Keys Navigation keys move the cursor. A navigation key modified by ctrl, increases the increment of the move by the unmodified navigation key. The actions of navigation keys are as follows.
Note: Please see the Microsoft Design Guide for details. Shortcut Keys Shortcut keys and key combinations provide rapid access to frequently performed operations. Function keys and ctrl+letter combinations are commonly used as shortcuts. alt+function key combinations (except alt+f4, alt+f6) may also be used. Do not use atl+letter combinations; these combinations are reserved for keyboard access to menus and controls. Do not use alt+tab, alt+esc, alt+spacebar; these combinations are reserved for system use. Recommended shortcut function key assignments are as follow.
Recommended shortcut ctrl+letter assignments are as follows.
Suggested shortcut ctrl+letter assignments are as follows.
Guidelines for Assigning Shortcut Keys Assign single keys for small-scale tasks that are frequently performed. Assign shift+key combinations for extended actions or actions complementary to the key or key combination used without shift.
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