GNOME Bugzilla – Bug 644657
Need HIG guidelines for GTKSwitch
Last modified: 2020-12-04 18:19:30 UTC
The new GTKSwitch <http://library.gnome.org/devel/gtk/unstable/GtkSwitch.html> has no guidelines specifying when it can be used and when it shouldnt. We run the risk of visual overload and overusing this control by just using it instead of the checkboxes. The problem is well highlighted by nekohayo : <http://jeff.ecchi.ca/blog/2011/03/13/on-gtkswitch/>
Few points on this: 1) It is not obvious in what state the switch is in. Does "ON" means it is on, or if it will be on, when pressed. If the slider has "ON" and "OFF" written on the sides, it is far more obvious: ON [ *] OFF 2) These types of switches are not universal in real life. I like the idea that software imitates real life objects, but these sort of switches are not widespread. Up to this day I haven't seen such switches at all. I believe it should be more universal than that. A button that is clearly pushed or clearly popped could be more obvious, but it has problems of its own.
(In reply to comment #1) > Few points on this: > This is not the bug you are looking for.. <jedi wave> ;-) Bug 644658 is probably what you want.. :)
Allan Day has created some guidelines concerning GTKSwitch https://live.gnome.org/Design/Whiteboards/SwitchGuidance (from http://jeff.ecchi.ca/blog/2011/03/13/on-gtkswitch/#comment-17857 )
see also this discussion about updating the HIG for GNOME 3.2 on desktop-devel-list : https://mail.gnome.org/archives/desktop-devel-list/2011-March/msg00136.html including the GTKSwitch case, for instance https://mail.gnome.org/archives/desktop-devel-list/2011-March/msg00143.html
Yep, we'll definitely make sure this is covered in the new 3.x guidelines. Tagging with 'uipattern' so it shows up on our list of 'HIG bugs that we probably ought to prioritise for the 3.x pattern library'.
Filed bug 649566 for "incorrect" uses of the widget in gnome-control-center.
In the meantime, we have http://live.gnome.org/Design/Whiteboards/SwitchGuidance , on which the eventual HIG guidelines should be based.
The new HIG has a page on switches.