PMOG Forum

Ok, from what I can tell there seems to be a lot of bugs caused by what the PMOG window currently is. It does not show up on pages because there are frames, weird css, or other things going on. Or, it displays incorrectly, flows off the screen, etc. This is caused by conflicts of css or simple impossibility of inserting the PMOG window in that state.

Now, I tend to be a hater of popups. However, I think something more like a popup would make sense for PMOG. The following are its advantages - but first some obvious disadvantages.

Disadvantages:
* Some users hate popup windows. [Solution, make in-window an option (not the default) and warn that it will cause some display errors that are unfixable]
* In frame windows are right there, dependent on context, and immediate.
* Popups or panels might disappear and fall behind the main window getting lost - you would need an icon to bring them to front . . although they could be given a z-index to keep them on top always.
* Popups may present some compatibility issues between FFx2 and FFx3 depending on new code/old code generation.

Advantages:
* They could be loaded WHILE the page you are on is loading! So you would not have to wait for a page to be fully loaded before using PMOG. Right now that wait is mostly imposed so that PMOG can write to the pages code without messing up the load.
* They could have a button that lets you put them behind if you aren't in game-mode and bring it up top when you are. Kind of a "pause". It also wouldn't have to display except on pages where there are events.
* You could move the box to where you want it rather than its default position.
* The browser wouldn't have to poll the current location of the page and move the game box when you scroll.
* It would increase the flexibility and display options of the PMOG interface.
* Pages with frames and other "oddities" would not interfere with it.

To me, I think the flexibility of having the PMOG in a panel or popup for outweighs the few benefits of having it on page.

While some people may not like popups, there are ways it could be styled so it wasn't obviously a popup so much as a positive feature. Additionally, you could have it hidden - but the pmog toolbar show there are "events on this page" through appropriate icons - which could be clicked and pull up the popup window. If the window is in front, it assumes you want it to stay there until you put it behind or specifically close it. It could also show multiple events within the same popup by dynamically resizing.

So, what are the options? Well, there are a few cool things out there...

First, Firefox 3 has a new XUL element "panel," which would be perfect! More can be seen here: FFx3 Panel
I think of a mission like a "step by step wizard". Which to me points at FFx3 panel's making sense - even though it would require using popups in FFx2 . . . Or what already is used....
More on Panels

The biggest drawback with "panel" is that it is not available in Firefox 2. However, most of the scripting is the same, so Firefox 2 could be done with a Popup while Firefox 3 is done with a Panel - simply by a javascript check. More information on Popup can be seen here: FFx Popup

Finally, alternative methods of placing a floating icon or box on the page can be seen here:
FFx Floating

However, they are prone to the same problems we are currently experiencing with the page.

I would love to hear other users thoughts on which they would like more . . .

I just know, for me, the biggest benefit would be it reducing the obvious bugs.

Right-o, enough of my rambling. :) [I guess I should find a forum for PMOG design suggestions . . . but this seems most appropriate at this time]

- Maz

PS: Creating a new thread with too long of a message errors out ;)

by maztec 8 months ago
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