Re: Help with a usability problem - nested configurations

I have a rather inelegant policies solution for ethernet traffic.  Access
Control Lists are groups of policies based on type of traffic, time,
addressing etc.  There's a list of master policies on a summary tab, a
policy can be highlighted in the listbox to show an overview of its
component policies. Then a detail tab similar to the summary page with a
drop-down for the master list and emphasis in the layout on displaying the
sub components and their settings.  A similar setup tab for creating a new
ACL or modifying an existing setup.  The tabs address actions for the
feature: [Summarize] the overall setup, [Detail] a particular policy,
[Setup] a new policy etc etc.

Thats the overlay architecture.  Here's a screenshot of how an individual
policy can be constructed
<http://tinyurl.com/yrzzr7<http://www.pauric.net/acl_screenshot.png>>
The dropdown at the top determines the options displayed on the page.

Again, not exactly going to win any prizes with this solution but users of
this feature are expert in their domain.  If you're able to read between the
lines hopefully you'll see a design that splits the feature architecture
across tabs and policy constructs in to a page based form layout.

Let me know if it was of use or if I should cut back on the 'ol crack when
designing.  cheers - pauric

On 5/30/07, Wade Courtney < [email protected]> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I need to be able to show business policies that may be x levels deep,
> with
> each level having its own set of configuration settings.  The application
> is
> business policies around digital media distribution and DRM? What is the
> best way to show that? I have tried tabs, but because of the policy
> nesting
> it is difficult to pull off. I was thinking of trying a tree structure.
> Has
> anyone had a similar problem or worked with a similar set of data
> requiring
> a similar solution?
>
> Stumped in San Diego
>
> --
> Wade Courtney
> North San Diego County
> Yahoo: wcourtne
> http://blog.stinkingbadges.org
> http://www.frappr.com/elpicoso
> http://www.myspace.com/elpicoso
> http://www.linkedin.com/in/wadecourtney
>
> Persian Officer: Fools! Our arrows will blot out the sun.
> Stelios: Then we will fight in the shade!
>
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