Re: Graphical Bar Code?

From: Mythran (kip_potter@hotmail.com)
Date: 07/26/02


> I wouldn't recommend having bars of differing scales unless there's some
> visual clue of the scale.  Otherwise, it's impossible to read *any* of the
> bars without secondary information.  I'm assuming that the bar is meant to
> be a quick visual aid, so the player can glance at it to determine his
> status.  By having bars of various scales scattered about the interface,
> the user must know beforehand that, on his health bar, 3 stars mean 30%;
> if he has to stop and think about it, you've defeated your own purpose.
--  Me Neither


> If you really do want to have bars of different length, then consider:
>
>   char *bar(char *buffer, int M, int per, int scale)
>   {
>     const char barChar = '*';
>     const char bgChar = ':';
>     int barLen = MIN(M - 1, per / scale);
>     int bgLen = MIN(M - 1, 100 / scale);
>
>     memset(buffer, bgChar, bgLen);
>     memset(buffer, barChar, barLen);
>
>     *(buffer + bgLen) = '\0';
>     return buffer;
>   }
>
>   /* ... macros the same ... */
>
> which, used like
>
>   char hb[21], vb[21], mb[21];
>   send_to_char(ch, "HEALTH: %s\n"
>                    "MOVE:   %s\n"
>                    "MANA:   %s\n",
>                SBAR(hb, GET_HIT(ch), GET_MAX_HIT(ch), 5),
>                SBAR(vb, GET_MOVE(ch), GET_MAX_MOVE(ch), 5),
>                SBAR(mb, GET_MANA(ch), GET_MAX_MANA(ch), 5));
>
> produces results like:
>
>   HEALTH: ******::::::::::::::
>   MOVE:   **********::::::::::
>   MANA:   **::::::::::::::::::
>
>
-- I have an idea, why not just use colors to differentiate?  For non-color
enabled players, you can just boldface white using a bold white :)  For the
rest, just use different colors (bold vs reg).

??? What you think ???



> > [snip other extensions]
>
> Note that my point was simplicity, not exhaustiveness.  It's trivial to
> add all of these whizbang features to it, but I don't think its necessary
> for creating an attractive visual aid.  Moreover, I think it can detract
> from the purpose -- the more the user is distracted by its appearance, the
> less useful it is to them.
>
Yup....my pov also.

Mythran

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