Java Look and Feel Design Guidelines

Book excerpt: Brand-new techniques for building more effective Java "TM" user interfaces. -- Reveals the latest user research by Sun Microsystems! -- Goes beyond the basics with menus, windows, wizards, events, alarms, and much more. -- High-quality 4-color interior! This book brings together advanced guidelines and techniques for building exceptionally effective user interfaces with Java technology. Building on the insights presented in Java "TM" Look and Feel Design Guidelines, Second Edition, this book focuses on several key opportunities to enhance Java user interfaces, and draws upon brand-new user analyses by Sun Microsystems' Java "TM" Look and Feel Design Group. The authors begin with in-depth coverage of Java "TM" windows, including techniques for choosing the right window type, designing window elements, setting state, and handling multiple windows. In a detailed chapter on menus, they show how to design menu elements, common, and contextual menus; and assign mnemonics and keyboard shortcuts. The book demonstrates how to control key aspects of application behavior, including addressing modes, filtering, searching, and tool tips. A chapter on idioms shows how to use sets of JFC components to standardize appearance and behavior. Readers will find practical techniques for improving responsiveness and providing more useful operational feedback. For every Java "TM" developer, software engineer, usability specialist, and manager responsible for developing or commissioning Java software.