Why is a checkbox added to filter in F5/Robust delete?

[narayan]

A checkbox is added to the filter section in Robust Transfer and Robust delete dialog boxes, with the stated purpose of "to quickly activate last filter used (if any)".

The checkbox is unsuited for the stated purpose.
A leading checkbox without any label has only one purpose: To activate/deactivate the control that follows it.

If it is to be used for any other purpose, it needs an explicit label.
Secondly, its position should be changed to clarify its relationship with the other control.

Further, the pulldown menu still has a hard-coded option called "Last used". Therefore the checkbox is not needed.

In fact, the checkbox+pull-down menu combo is confusing.
For example, what is the meaning of these combinations?

1. The checkbox is ticked but the pulldown menu is blank.
  (Without the checkbox, the meaning of a blank pulldown menu is clear: No filter is to be applied. But when a checkbox is added, people wonder what it means.)

2. The checkbox is clear but the pulldown shows some name.
  (Will the selected filter work or not? Is this the last-used filter?)

3. The checkbox is ticked but the user has chosen a new filter.
  (Which filter will work now, last-used or new one?)

So a solution is this:
1. Label the checkbox "Last used filter"
2. Shift it AFTER the pull-down menu.
3. When the checkbox is selected, gray out the pulldown menu.
4. Remove the "Last used" option from the pulldown menu.

[nikos]

this checkbox is best used when you already selected some filtered copy. Next time you want to use the same filter, all you would have to do is tick the box, not start searching for the filter again

[narayan]

But THAT is not apparent at all.

All the unintended things are much more likely to happen.
(You used Occham's razor with such felicity. Has he taken it back?).

[nikos]

that's the purpose of good help files, to explain the quirks

[narayan]

So will I have to not only endure but also explain this abomination?

What's that Greek word? Ah yes- euthanasia. I favor it now.
And it is easy too- Just read Kilmastead's post to numb the mind and let go....

[Kilmatead]

Just read Kilmatead's post[s] to numb the mind and let go....

What are you picking on me for?  I'm not even involved in this thread (I never see this "abomination" anyway, as I - as all right-thinking people do - always use Ctrl-F6 via Menuhack to completely avoid it).

And besides, you're the one who wrote (and then lost!) a 381 page document for a 1.4 MB binary.  Now, if you want to bribe me to intentionally derail a few threads into the off-topic doldrums, that's a different story altogether...

[narayan]

ARGGHH the game is up!

So do I use CTRL+F6 all the time. But then I don't use any filter at all. But for those who use the filter on-and-off, the checkbox would be vital. So I still think that the pull-down menu should be grayed out when the checkbox is unticked. In other words, the pull-down menu must have persistence, but it would take effect only when the checkbox is ticked.

Besides, the "Last used" option must be removed from the filter, because that is to be replaced with-
1. the checkbox
2. The persistent behavior of the pulldown menu.

[profess]

i envy the man that has to understand nikos'

special K wassup?

been busy with nappies and what not. nikos how do you manage to program with a young one running around? ahh yes, i remember the pic from christmas time. you were looking rather knackered (equine reference - whatever did happen to those forums?), but you blamed it on the alcohol about time for baby #2 no?!  i believe baby #1 was called v2, so this should be called v3. lol just in time for this Ultima beta version thingy.  i swear you create a new x2 to coincide with the moon phases and waters.

enough OT(T) ramblings...

[narayan]

As special K would say, haven't seen photos of the wee lassie for a long time now...