[Psi-Devel] default policy options (was: Re: failing to reconnect on un-suspend (windows))

[Hal Rottenberg]

On Sat, Mar 8, 2008 at 6:32 PM, Maciek Niedzielski <machekku at uaznia.net> wrote:
>  > - Create a set of global/parent settings that apply to all accounts.
>  > - Individual accounts would take the default if not defined
>  > - If a setting is defined, it overrides the parent setting.
>
>  Yes, this is a nice idea, but I cannot imagine a nice GUI for it: how to
>  show that value is inherited? How to switch back to global value?

I've seen it done many times.  Two popular methods:

1.  Tri-state checkboxes.  Filled, empty, and "in between".  You may
have seen this in backup software to indicate a folder's contents are
only partially selected for backup.  Checked means the option is
overridden in the positive, unchecked means overridden in the
negative, shaded means no override.

2.  Windows Group policy "not configured".  You have the ability to
drill down to all settings at the account level.  If something is
overriding the default, the setting appears in the dialog, if not, you
see a "not configured message".  e.g.
http://www.pcdoctor-guide.com/wordpress/images/gpedit090106_2D1.gif

>  It would probably be easier to allow editing multiple accounts in the same
>  time (like you can view and change properties of multiple files, etc)

Your suggestion works better when these settings will be altered often
and in differing combinations, but is awkward when not.  I think the
opposite will be a much more common scenario.

With the default policy method, people who either do not have multiple
accounts or who do have multiple accounts but use the exact same
settings (aside from username etc) across all accounts will have a
much more simplified interface with only one place to go to for most
account settings.  The ones who have a more complicated setup will
lose nothing, and the interface would be no more cluttered to them
than it is today, with the added benefit of removing redundancy.  No
more, "Ugh, I have to check this auto-connect box six times!" (I do
have six accounts in my profile.)

-- 
Blog: http://halr9000.com
Webmaster, Psi (http://psi-im.org)
Co-host, PowerScripting Podcast (http://powerscripting.net)