Universal GUI

[Dan Shafer]

On Monday, July 28, 2003, at 11:43 AM, John R. Brauer wrote:

> If it is gone, then
> the items below it are one space higher up when I look for them, and my
> muscle memory becomes a liability instead of an asset. Disabled items
> are placeholders. Disabled items also tell me that I have found what I
> am looking for, and it is currently disabled for some reason

Interesting point, Dr. John. I don't think it's at all necessary to 
"close up" the space left by unused but hidden controls that might 
appear in the dialog under some condition. But if you did that, then 
I'd agree with your assessment about muscle memory.

FWIW, I do *not* agree with MS that the same principle that applies to 
hidden menu items should apply to hidden controls because muscle memory 
needn't come into play with controls as it must inevitably with menus. 
A hidden control when it does appear is (or should be) at the same 
location every time, which gains the consistency.