[AccessD] Switchboard

Hi Arthur:

I do not know what you are expecting as it seems the basics are simple...

The applications icon, startup login screen and splash screen are all
initiated via the tools/startup list. All default icons, tools menus and
base windows are turned off. From then on the user is presented with a
"pretty" options menu form with graphics and custom buttons...users really
like pretty. After that selecting each menu item, the app drills down and
lists either data or options. 

I personally like to hide previous forms, which can be unhidden when they
need focus or just tabbed to, if the information is related. So much of this
section of code depends on the users preferences. 

The one thing I do like is having absolute control of everything that is
displayed on that screen and the built-in switchboard seems like quick hack
or something a beginner programmer would use as it provides good basic
functionality but with limited control, methods and properties.

Jim    

-----Original Message-----
From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Arthur Fuller
Sent: Saturday, September 08, 2012 10:26 AM
To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
Subject: Re: [AccessD] Switchboard

That's most interesting. Can you describe one of your own? How do you lay
out the, for want of a better word, tree? Do you begin with an equivalent
of the switchboard, or start with the most likely place to visit (such as
"Things to Attend To Today", whatever that might entail?

I'm seriously curious about how you and others on this list open the given
app. I once presented an opening screen that paid attention to projects
marked "Incomplete", and my user objected vociferously, saying "I don't
want anyone to see what jobs I haven't completed!" An interesting take,
which I absorbed, and hence tailored the opening form to show clients and
jobs and let her decide.

The switchboard is admittedly an easy way to provide a front end, but is
also so generic as to be somewhat pointless, in its generality. Who has a
better idea (and portable from app to app)?

A.
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