Re: Tab taking keyboard focus away from applet...HELP!
kwatson@micahtek.com wrote:
Have you considered 'freeing' this applet from the browser
and allowing it to be free-floating*? It would fix problems like..
This was a free-floating part of our users tool set a month ago.
We went to the embedded applet because the users were having far to
many windows/apps running and it was getting difficult for the users
to find the correct open window quickly. So we have developed a web
based dash board for our users where all of their needed folders and
applications are available from a single page using divs/visibility,
etc.
A JFrame can hold tabbed panes, cardlayouts, splitpanes or
scrollpanes (the first things that jump to mind) that each
contain different GUI elements, including entire Applets
(though a workable applet context is a little trickier, it is
also possible). As well, components can be shown or
hidden using setVisible().
What I am getting at, is that everything that can be done
by embedding multiple applets in a dynaminc web page,
can be done by including the same elements in a Java
based root pane. And it can be done more reliably, without
worrying about the vagaries of browser manufacturers.
As it happens, this applet is the center piece of the new dashboard
application.
Your programming a ..car? What is a 'dashboard application'?
I did a quick Google and the range of programs that seemed
to be returned suggested it was no more than a cute 'marketing
ploy' to make a program sound (more) important (than it is).
...The response from management and users on this new
interface has been overwhelmingly positive ( a change that people were
begging for! ).
Despite its obvious problems with tabbing?
.. I think they would string me up if I were to tell
them we have to go back to multiple windows. :)
They don't. But..
Don't 'tell them' anything. *Show* *them*. A workable GUI
paints a thousand words.
Heck, tell them that while working on the solution to the
'real problem' you can offer the free floating root component
as a 'temporary fix'.
Once the user has a desktop shortcut to the new (fully
functional) 'combined UI in a frame' - I think they will be a
lot less anxious to get the web page fixed.
Thanks for the suggestion though...any thoughts how I can resolve this
an leave the applet embedded?
<dws>Beg the browser manufacturer to change their mind
on tab behaviour?</dws>
But seriously, no. I have spent too much time trying to fix
arcane problems with applets in the past - I'm over them.
Just thought I'd throw in the suggestion of Java Web Start
as the sensible (OK - 'the only logical') alternative.
Now - turns pointedly to all the people who are 'fans' of
applets. Have *you* lot got any useful suggestions here,
or are you just sitting back, waiting for the next time you
can chime about how I'm so 'prejudiced' against applets?
--
Andrew Thompson
http://www.physci.org/
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