Unable to use security editor to enlist new stocks for Dhaka Stock Exchange

[Derek Atkins]

"David T." <sunfish62 at yahoo.com> writes:

> Having now seen this topic come up a few times since I began following these
> lists, I think it is reasonable to raise the point that it appears that the
> control in question behaves in contradiction to user expectations. It is
> presented as a drop-down box, which in most environments implies a specific
> (bounded) list of entries. 

There are PLENTY of interfaces that have a combination of drop-down
box AND open-editing.  It's not a special widget; it's JUST a regular
combo box which, funnily enough, has a flag that says whether or not
to let the user input stuff into the interface.  So it's not like
gnucash is doing anything wrong, or doing anything funky.  This is
an inteface provided by Gtk!  Indeed, I would bet the HIG has something
to say about it, too.

> Since this is actually a free-text field, I wonder a few things: 

It's not really a free-text field, per se.

> 1) How is the list used? I suspect that its primary use is to group stocks and
> bonds together in various gnucash displays, but I wonder whether it has more
> substantial uses (such as determining the lookup for online quotes). 

Yes, the primary use is to group stocks and bonds together.

> 2) What drawbacks would result if the control were changed to a textbox?
> Obviously, term control could suffer, as users type in any sort of text. 

Control would definitely suffer.  Users would have to remember
what they typed in before and wouldn't have any guidance as to
what's in the list.

> If the list is only used for internal display purposes, then there is little
> reason for the control to be a dropdown. If it is used for remote access as
> well, then perhaps it would be advisable to limit the control a little more
> strictly, and create an explicit interface (complete with error-checking, etc.)
> to allow modifications to the list.

It's a dropdown to make it easy to choose.

> A different approach might be to use the same type-ahead behavior that is used
> in the Description field of a register. That way, if a term has been used,
> users can quickly select the correct term. [In acknowledgement of recent
> threads, I note that typos can be propagated repeatedly in a type-ahead
> situation]

Eep!  Well, then you can't see what else is in the list.  An editable
combo box really is the right answer here.

It's not our fault people don't read the docs.  And changing the 
interface from the correct one just because people can't read
docs just does the interface a disservice.  I'm sure that for every
one person that asks about this there are a hundred who just figure
it out.  We should cater to the silent majority.

Just my $0.02.

> David

-derek

> --- Derek Atkins <warlord at MIT.EDU> wrote:
>
>> Hi,
>> 
>> "Dr. Md. Aminul Islam Khan" <aikhan at bangla.net> writes:
>> 
>> > I am trying to enlist new stock in the New security dialogue, but I
>> > do not find any DSE (Dhaka Stock Exchange of Bangladesh) in the Type
>> > box (The box where I have to select the Stock exchange). There are
>> > only AMEX, EUREX, FUND, NASDAQ and NYSE choices in Type box, and it
>> > is not allowing me to add the DSE stock exchange. How do I add DSE
>> > type in the Type box?
>> 
>> Just type it in.  It's a free-form text box and you can enter
>> any text you want.  GnuCash has a default set to start you off,
>> but you can add your own in the "New Commodity" dialog.
>> 
>> > Can any one help me? Thanking in anticipation.
>> >
>> > AI Khan
>> 
>> > Please remember to CC this list on all your replies.
>> > You can do this by using Reply-To-List or Reply-All.
>> 
>> -derek
>> 
>> -- 
>>        Derek Atkins, SB '93 MIT EE, SM '95 MIT Media Laboratory
>>        Member, MIT Student Information Processing Board  (SIPB)
>>        URL: http://web.mit.edu/warlord/    PP-ASEL-IA     N1NWH
>>        warlord at MIT.EDU                        PGP key available
>> _______________________________________________
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>> -----
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>
>
>
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-- 
       Derek Atkins, SB '93 MIT EE, SM '95 MIT Media Laboratory
       Member, MIT Student Information Processing Board  (SIPB)
       URL: http://web.mit.edu/warlord/    PP-ASEL-IA     N1NWH
       warlord at MIT.EDU                        PGP key available