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Review
Profile: iOrganizer 2
Issue: 1.3 (December/January 2002)
Author: Brian Jones
Article Description: No description available.
Article Length (in bytes): 4,017
Starting Page Number: 9
RBD Number: 1305
Resource File(s): None
Related Web Link(s):
http://www.channel8software.com
Known Limitations: None
Full text of article...
One of the first conveniences most REALbasic programmers will list to those unfamiliar with the development environment is the relative ease with which complex and multi-faceted interfaces can be created. A great example of this aspect of REALbasic development can be found in iOrganizer 2 from Channel 8 Software. This application allows its users to keep track of all sorts of vital information including an address book, a to- do list, and a calendar.
The interfaces for the various tools in iOrganizer are all incredibly crisp with a multitude of different controls, graphics, and window layouts. The central window for iOrganizer is a floating toolbar window that contains a bevel button with an icon for each tool available. When clicked, these buttons open up a new window for the appropriate tool, whether that is the file download manager, the address book, etc. In the OS X version of the software, there is an Aqua-style toolbar in each window that allows tasks particular to each window, and also tasks more generally available, to be performed. When appropriate, there are attractive descriptive graphics and icons displayed to reiterate information about the interface.
Each individual tool also displays interface elements readily available in REALbasic that are difficult to implement in other development environments. For example, in the to- do list or "Task Manager," there are both icons and checkbox controls displayed for each item. The icons display the priority of the item. The checkboxes are used to mark an item as having been completed. Those with experience in other programming environments know that such a control would be amazingly difficult to create and maintain; however, in comparison, the difference between this control and a standard listbox in REALbasic is relatively trivial.
Certain functions wrapped by this interface also show the relative ease with which REALbasic applications can provide powerful features to its users. Rather than simply opening the default client for a particular download in the download manager, users have the option of having iOrganizer itself fetch the file. The same goes for the address book, in which iOrganizer can send emails to people selected in the address book without ever having to open a mail client. These features are minor conveniences that many users might not wish to take advantage of; however, in other development environments they might be too time-consuming to include at all, while in REALbasic their implementation is simple enough that they can be included as minor features.
Other features of iOrganizer showcase the flexibility of interface programming in REALbasic outside of those features made explicitly available. For example, Channel 8 has developed a list header class that allows for column resizing and drag re-ordering of columns in listboxes. REALbasic has included support for column resizing since the release of iOrganizer, but still does not allow for drag re-ordering. Also, iOrganizer 3 promises to have a graphical calendar view that rivals that of professional grade applications in the same class. iOrganizer is a great example of the impressive ways in which the basic building blocks provided by REALbasic can be combined to build powerful and flexible interfaces.
In Brief Product iOrganizer 2 Manufacturer Channel 8 Software Price $25 System Requirements Mac OS X or OS 8+ with CarbonLib Contact Info http://www.channel8software.com
info-at-channel8software.com
End of article.
Article copyrighted by REALbasic Developer magazine. All rights reserved.
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