Budgeting?

[Boris Goldowsky]

> The Doctor What <list.gnucash at docwhat.gerf.org> writes:
>
>> Graphically, the problem is that the content of the node and the
>> folder-ness of the tree are represented in one place.
>>
>> It might be better (this is just an idea) to have this instead:
>> | Liabilites
>> - Expense and Sub-Accounts
>>   | Expense
>>   + Household
>>   + Groceries
>>   ... etc.

A similar problem is commonly seen in making multiple selections from a 
filesystem, or when customizing the install of an application.  An 
example that I'd consider to be a well-done user interface is Apple's 
Backup application.  If you want to pick and choose files and 
directories to back up, you get a view of the top-level directories 
with two controls next to each:  a checkbox and a triangle (the 
standard for a container-type object:  triangle pointing to the right 
if closed, click to get a triangle pointed down with the sub-objects 
listed below, indented; click again to collapse it).

The checkbox actually can have THREE states.  If you simply click it, 
it goes from "unchecked" to "checked" and back again, meaning the 
entire directory is selected or not.  But if you open the directory via 
the triangle, and select some (but not all) included files or 
subdirectories, the triangle automatically gets a "-" inside it, 
indicating the partial selection.  The selections, and the "-" sign, 
persist when the directory is collapsed from visibility so you can tell 
that there are sub-selections within.

I've seen a similiar thing on Windows machines, with the little boxed 
plus/minus signs used for directories; I believe the partially-selected 
state there is usually indicated by shading.  In either case, the key 
elements to make this work, I believe, are two controls, and three 
visibly-different states for container objects.

Bng