Usability question about full screen/multiple windows

remark

Hello everybody!

In David Singleton's Go-Live.us Dynamics Book I read recommendations to use multiple windows instead of full screen mode when using Navision to use it at its fullest. This only confirmed what I get used to and intuitevely considered to be the proper manner of browsing NAV.

But recently at one of the Microsoft's presentation I saw as Dynamics NAV was demonstrated with full screen forms.

Do you think users must be forcefully trained to use multiple windows or not?

tinoruijs

Hi,

As a developer I don't work full screen.
But, when I'm testing (and working like a user), I often work fullscreen. Off course to see if I put the glue of new buttons right.

DenSter

For checking the glue I always drag the lower right corner around, see if everything moves the way it's supposed to. As far as windows that is a matter of personal preference. I hate, HATE maximized forms and even fullscreen

Savatage

I'm the opposite - I like the full screen - the less & have to mess with scroll bars the better.

DenSter

I don't so much hate having close to fullscreen Card forms, and I do always expand the size of my C/AL editor and the object browser to max sizes, but I hate maximized forms where what you select is in the upper left hand corner, and the OK button is in the lower right hand corner. I like those forms to be nice and compact, and have control over what else is bigger.

Plus, it is easier to keep track of your forms. When they are maximized, everything is hidden behind the one you're looking at.

David_Singleton

The key for me is that if I see a company where most users use Full screen, then you will see a mess of screens with too many fields, colors and blinking things to attract attention. Basically a damn lot of unnecessary customizations.

Once you make the effort to train your users to use multiple windows, you will see that they use them more efficiently, and have open what they need for their use, rather tht a huge form with a ton of unnecessary screens.

I had one client where they really wanted to optimize the system, but many users kept going back to maximize, so i set form 330 to be Not Maximizable. which solved that, after a few days they got so sick of re maximizing forms, that with in a week they had learnt to use Navision the way Navision was designed, and they saved a lot on useless customizations.

"remark" thanks for reading my book, and FYI, its now moved to a wiki (http://wiki.dynamicsbook.com) I am glad if it can help.

remark

David Singleton wrote:

"remark" thanks for reading my book, and FYI, its now moved to a wiki (http://wiki.dynamicsbook.com) I am glad if it can help.

David, thank you for your project, this is a great job!

And here I can't resist saying words of gratitude to Luc Van Dyck for our mibuso.com. For me this is the center of my small personal Navision world.

And of course, thank you, all Navision Professionals, who makes this world live and who helps such beginners as me to get know it!