Re: mode independent UI description language

not_at_top-post
Date: 08/22/04 

Date: Sun, 22 Aug 2004 02:36:59 -0500

"frauenberger AT iem.at" <"frauenberger AT iem.at"> wrote :

> Hi there,
>
> does anybody know of efforts towards an mode-independent user interface
> description language? I mean something like UIML, but without defining
> lets say "button", but defining a generic "triggering element". Goal
> would be a common definition for multi-modal interfaces...
>
> Is there anything like this? Where could I get information about such
> techniques?
>
> Any hints are highly appreciated
> Thanks
> Christopher

I've been using Oberon- S3 for several years [free from ethz: the
home of Wirth -one of the computer hi-priests from the 60's].

By contrast WinXX and linux are just lame.
It uses cording on a 3 button mouse [although WinXX lame mode can
be set by <F8>]. It's a 'text user interface' in that the 'hot-button'
would be the 3 char "D O G" instead of a picture/icon of a 'dog'.
Although panels with buttons/icons can be used [by those with
cartoon mentality].

Some examples:-
  to execute any command, I 'cord' on the 'text' of the command
  located anywhere in sight [on any frame/window on the screen].
  So if I'm going to do an ftp session, I fetch the pallette/frame
  [called FTP.Tool which has the various 'texts' which when corded,
  do appropriate FTP commands]. This FTP.Tool is just a text file,
  with the various texts coloured and scripted as it suits you,
  eg. with the important [commonly used] 'commands' at the top
  in BIG bright red, and other stuff [including heuristic/comments]
  arranged as it suits YOU. Here's part of my FTP.Tool, but you can't
  see the colour/format of the text:-
  ..... snip ...
  NetSystem.SetUser ftp:user@host ~ Set password for private ftp.
FTP.Open ^ ftp.inf.ethz.ch user@host Log in to the selected ftp server.
FTP.Close End the current session.
FTP.Dir List the current directory.
.... snip ...
  
Any text can eg. be 'koki-pen' changed in colour, size, script
by just 'wiping it' and dabbing [using the correct cord which
becomes instinctive] the required 'style' from some example
which is viewable anywhere on the screen.
This is for me a can't-do-without facility for 'koki-pen-marking'
complex texts, for analysis while reading them.
Of course, if you don't see/find the colour, size, script used already on
the screen, you can directly change the colour of the marked/selected
text strech by 'cording':
    Script.ChangeColor 3
where 3 corresponds to red.

So. eg. every word on this email [NOW] is 'live/usable' provided
it has a meaning eg. as a command [which always has the syntax:
<moduleName>.<exported command> [possible arguments]
  eg. System.Directory *.Text
or by appropriately cording a text [token] I fetch/open the
corresponding file [in its own frame].
So by visually scanning this NewsPost [NOW] I see "FTP.Tool" and
know/recognise this as the name of a text file; by just looking
at "FTP.Tool" on the screen and imagining the corresponding
file opening, my hand instinctively move the mouse cursor to
the "FTP.Tool" and cords the action to fetch and open the
'FTP.Tool' text file !! To predetermine the location of the opened
file I need to <F1> a chosen screen position, else heuritics suffice.

Obviously cutNpaste is just wizBang.....etc....etc...
you have to experience it to appreciate it.

== Chris Glur. easlab AT absamail . co . za