Chat window

[Dahoma]

Maybe this was suggested before, i've looked and couldn't find anything. I think that the chat window should be changed. I have an idea;
Make it so the system information doesn't go through the All window, because when I play I sometimes have more then one person talking to me so I switch to the All window. But the constant flow of all the other information (people casting spells, fighting, random other stuff) is making it so I can't read anything. And everything else that i'd like to happen is obviously going to happen so I won't say it

[Karyuu]

If you go into your in-game options, you can filter out seeing people's attacks. Were not everything to go into the "All" window, it wouldn't really be called "All" anymore :} However, having a tab for regular /say and /shout isn't such a bad idea.

Do keep in mind however that there are some system messages that you shouldn't be ignoring - GM actions, messages concerning the server, etc., so I think the easiest quick fix is to just filter out attacks through the in-game options.

[DaveG]

One of the ideas I came with up a while back was to split the info window into 2.  Have a normal vitals window with HP/MP/etc and an another info window with the target HP, combat buttons, magic power, and stick some sort of (better looking) readout for damages assesed in the vicinity.  That'd get rid of most of the system message spam, and replace it with a designated system to handle what your character observes/senses.  We could also add general observations, so your character could walk allong and just "notice" something.  (skill specific stuff and/or generalized stuff)

[Ahriman]

Something like in text-based adventure games? Like
"You notice something gleaming on the hill east of you"
And that thing could be a sword laying on the ground. 

[AryHann]

A good idea would be to have the GUI redesigned by somebody with competence.
Unfortunately, the lack of time hasn't helped toward this solution and at the moment we just get little patches there and then which, on average, has brought less good than anything else.
However, there are products that are even worse, so if we have to see the glass half-full we can be generically satisfied.

Anyway, I agree that chat window (and not only) needs much more work, but when working on something like a GUI it is necessary to have a global view (and of course the right knowledge ) of the GUI and not just the "detailed" window.

I really hope that one day I will find the time to finally do what I promised to do, because watching the GUI becoming worse and worse despite also the good suggestions coming from the players is quite frustratring!

[minetus]

just a lill sugestion(probably done before  )
the addition to the gui of horizontal/vertical docks would help alot
also dynamically editing the guy(in the xml/skin files) would help alot, example the clock could be putted in a dock, with the effect of an old pointer clock, having that options avaible in the xml would help alot on the visual look of the gui and also in the making of new skins (example's, digital clock, pointer clock, pendulum clock) this is just some format options for the clockl

ofcoarse what im sugesting is not a easy task nor a simple one, but in a overall would help the game alot.

edit:
here's some ways the docks could work:


there would be a thin main control "toolbar" that would auto attach it self to the window border, this system could aply to all the PS windows or just some defined or just the ones that are most commonly visible at most times (ex:. stats, spell, chat)..

another good idea would be ability to create several shortcuts window docks, this way it wouldnt pack all shortcuts in one place, and could have defined shortcuts separeted by groups

[novacadian]

It would be nice to have some easy means of jumping from the chat window to the main screen again. One simple way may be that the entry box for the chat able be able to be positioned at the bottom of the screen and fully across from side to side. Then a non-carefully aimed mouse movement could find it quickly and in turn move away to full screen focus again easily.

It has been noted that others sometimes go running off into walls or worse when in a chat with my character so it looks like this is not just my frustration.

If there is already some hot key which my newness is not yet aware of, then please except my apologies for bringing this up.

- Nova

[Roled]

Every one but me probably already knew this but   
double clicking on a name in your buddy list opens a tell to them ..

Maybe could something like that get us back and forth from main tab to where ever?

RR

[weltall]

press enter with no text

[novacadian]

press enter with no text

Just the thing!

Thanks,

- Nova

[bloodedIrishman]

Major props to you, Necromancer novacadian. My hat's off to you.