[Xerte-dev] Re: Back / Next Functionlaity

Wed Aug 1 08:58:22 BST 2012

I think we have all come to the conclusion that we leave the navigation linear:

In a linear LO it works, obviously
In Menu, it isn't relevant because there are no back / next buttons
In menu with page controls, I think linear works and fits with the mental model people have.

So that means that the connectors need to work within this constraint. That is the bottom line.

From: xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk [mailto:xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk] On Behalf Of Kemp Johnathan
Sent: 31 July 2012 21:30
To: For Xerte technical developers
Subject: [Xerte-dev] Re: Back / Next Functionlaity

One of the things I have been worried about is code dependencies in other models to handle the connectors. I've always been a  bit worried about this, but I don't have the detail to know. But it worries me that if a connector changes, you have to change every other model? That's going to be a right PITA if true?

The issue with none connector pages is that they don't have any features in them to change the navigation options. All this means is that the only opportunity the project author gets to change the navigation options comes when the user opens or exits a Connector page. So when a Connector page sets navigation e.g. Only have Back and Next buttons, then this situation will endure until it is changed as a result of another Connector page being accessed.

The only change that has been made to the none connector pages has been to give them an optional "page ID" attribute, so that Connector pages can find them.

If the model for any single one of the connection pages then the only thing it will impact on is that connector page. I don't know where the idea has come from that "If a connector page changes then you have to change every other model.

This is one of the problems of communicating by email. It is not always clear that the meaning that has been taken from your communication is the one that you intended to communicate. :-)

Kind regards

Johnathan

On 31 July 2012 17:14, Julian Tenney <Julian.Tenney at nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:Julian.Tenney at nottingham.ac.uk>> wrote:
One of the things I have been worried about is code dependencies in other models to handle the connectors. I've always been a  bit worried about this, but I don't have the detail to know. But it worries me that if a connector changes, you have to change every other model? That's going to be a right PITA if true?

From: xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk> [mailto:xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk>] On Behalf Of Ron Mitchell
Sent: 31 July 2012 15:49

To: 'For Xerte technical developers'
Subject: [Xerte-dev] Re: Back / Next Functionlaity

1. In that case it sounds like it's better to leave any changes rather than delay release
2. I'm not sure the discussion about making the connector pages more XOT friendly revolved around these specific options but clearly the mailing list correspondence isn't reaching clarity about all the different issues.

From: xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk> [mailto:xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk>] On Behalf Of Kemp Johnathan
Sent: 31 July 2012 15:14
To: For Xerte technical developers
Subject: [Xerte-dev] Re: Back / Next Functionlaity

Adding the additional navigation options depends on a couple of issues
1.      When the release is going to take place. I am going to have very little time this week to implement the changes and no time at all next week.
2.      I don't want to make changes until I feel they have a general consensus behind them. I have already removed the ability to set individual navigation buttons, which was part of the original functionality, in order to make the pages more XOT friendly. To simply replace the functionality now would be to ignore the merit of the discussions that lead to the simplification of the options. Which is why I suggested deferring any further developments until the pages have had a little exposure and we can sit round a table and discuss the various issues the connector pages raise.
Unless things have changed as a result of the language developments, it is my understanding that changes to the model and xwd files would automatically pass through to existing XOT projects. So a delay until October should not prevent anyone developing in the meantime. Any changes would be fully backward compatible.

Kind regards

Johnathan

On 31 July 2012 15:03, Ron Mitchell <ronm at mitchellmedia.co.uk<mailto:ronm at mitchellmedia.co.uk>> wrote:
Sounds like a good idea!

But could the "Back, Next and TOC", "Back and Next only", "Back only", "Next only" options still be added before the meeting - indeed before release? If not so be it but my point and reasons for those option are valid for my planned usage regardless of the history setting.

From: xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk> [mailto:xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:xerte-dev-bounces at lists.nottingham.ac.uk>] On Behalf Of Kemp Johnathan
Sent: 31 July 2012 14:46

To: For Xerte technical developers
Subject: [Xerte-dev] Re: Back / Next Functionlaity

>How many times do I have to make this point.
BUTTONS DO NOT CHANGE THEIR FUNCTION.

>OK, I'm going to put the navigation back to linear in all situations. I'm going to leave the rootIcon.setNavigationStyle() method so you can switch it if you want,.

I am not trying to be pedantic.
I am trying to ensure we are all sharing a common understanding and at the moment I am confused.

If I use the setNavigationStyle() method then the back button will change its functioning. So is that OK because it is still a back button. Or is that unacceptable because buttons don't change their function?.

Can I make a suggestion?

It will be relatively easy at a later date to add additional exit navigation button setting options to the connector pages xwd and model files. I have in an earlier post discussed a workaround that can be used to get the best out of the Connector pages with purely linear navigation. So how about we leave things as they are for now and then discuss this at the forthcoming Xerte meet in October?

This will avoid any further delays in the Xerte release, allow a little time for people to try out the Connector pages and give both the Authoring and Developer communities an opportunity to engage with the discussion.

All in favour ?

Johnathan

On 31 July 2012 12:37, Julian Tenney <Julian.Tenney at nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:Julian.Tenney at nottingham.ac.uk>> wrote:
Personally I think it should be set at the learning object level so that navigation remains consistent throughout the project. Wouldn't that lead to the confusion and inconsistency Julian is trying to avoid? I would only see this being needed if a connector is used within the project and only then if required for a specific purpose e.g. to go back to the connector rather than linear back. (Also see response to 3 below)

How many times do I have to make this point.
BUTTONS DO NOT CHANGE THEIR FUNCTION.

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