ESP-r Interface
The following discussion will hopefully supply you with
the basic functionality of the interface, how to interact
with it and alter it to better support your work habits.
ESP-r applications normally begin in a graphic mode. You
may force it to use one of the alternative terminal types
listed below by appending the appropriate mode when
the application is executed ie. "prj -mode text" runs it in a
text-only mode. The following discussion will hopefully
provide the basis of an informed choice. The following
terminal types are available:
- Graphic where help facilities pop-up in the graphic
window, most reporting is contained in a scrolling
box, most user input occurs within a dialogue
box, application control is via menus on the right.
The application size and the fonts can be altered
for ease of viewing. The graphic mode is probably
the best choice for the majority of users.
-
- Text mode is useful for those who are
running remotely across a network or undertaking batch
processing of models or assessment tasks. Naturally there are no graphs
or perspective views, but full access to the command menus, editing
and browsing facilities are available.
Although the layout of each application is for the most
part fixed, the user has many options which will modify
its appearance. These are accessed via the "environment"
button at the bottom right of the display. The following
selections are possible:
- Four font sizes are included so that lists and text
displays are legible.
The largest font might be used
for demonstrations to small groups, however this will
tend to minimize the space available for graphics and
the user is advised to use the window manager to resize
the whole window to restore the balance. Switching to
smaller fonts will maximize the area available for
graphics and allow more lines of text to be seen in the
scrolling feedback area.
- The number of lines in the feedback area may be changed
via the centre bar. In applications where the model geometry
is displayed additional buttons are include in the centre
bar: elevation buttons (which move the eye point up and down
by 10 degree increments), azimuth buttons which pivot the
eye point to the left or right as well as an image control
button which defines how the wireframe image is displayed.
The width of the feedback area
is fixed so if text is being truncated it is advisable to
either switch to a smaller font or resize the display. There
is a bar at the left of the
text feedback area which can be used to scroll backwards
and forwards.
- The presentation and specification of dates and time are
user-selectable. Although most ESRU applications require
Julian days, most users prefer day and date. The
day of the week and the days of the week associated with
weekends can also be specified if required.
- Time of day is available as a fraction of the day, decimal
hour, or in hour-minute format. Given that the nominal
minimal timestep is one minute there is no need to display
seconds.
The modules of ESP-r make use of various fonts when running
in graphic mode and these are typically set in a users
login file:
....
setenv DISPLAY `hostname`:0.0
if (`tty` == "/dev/console") then
echo " Start X ?"
set x = {$<}
if ( $x == "y" || $x == "Y" || $x == "yes" ) then
setenv EFONT_0 6x12
setenv EFONT_1 6x13
setenv EFONT_2 8x13
setenv EFONT_3 9x15
xr5 -start
else
....
The environment variables EFONT_0 ... EFONT_3 are picked up
by the application and changing them will give
a different look and feel to ESP-r. Although ESP-r only
works properly with fixed width fonts, you can substitute
different fonts as long as you follow certain rules. To
find out more press here.
Most program control happens via the selection lists
presented at the right side of the application window. As in the
currently displayed list, selection is obtained by moving the mouse
and pressing a mouse button on the appropriate item. Alternatively
you can press the character associated with the first column
of the list (example typing d would activate the longitude
difference dialog). In
all cases there will be a "? help" selection at the bottom
of the list along with an "- exit" selection. The
latter will change to indicate the menu which will be
returned to when the current one is exited.
The selection lists are often used to present information
as well as provide choices. For example the item which
allows the verbosity of reporting also displays the current
level. Note that it includes the symbols >> between the
label and the value. This pattern is followed throughout
the application. Sometimes a toggle is simply on/off and sometimes
there may be several options included. A toggle will
return to its original state if repeatedly selected.
Some selection lists are used to display and select arrays
of data in a convenient form. For example, the list of vertex
coordinates forming the bounds of a thermal zone are treated
as a list. By moving the cursor to a particular set of
coordinates and selecting them is interpreted as a request
to edit them. The list contents are updated after each
edit.
In some cases the list may be longer than will fit on one
screen, and when this happens the heading of the list will
include an indication of which portion of the list is being
viewed. There will also be an additional command inserted
towards the bottom of the list box that allows the user to
change to an earlier or later page of information. There
is no particular limit to the
length of the lists.
In a text mode, selection of items in a list are
obtained by typing in the "key" character of the item of interest.
Command actions are consistent no matter which terminal type
has been chosen.
Several levels of reporting/feedback are available to the
user: Silent, Executive Summary, and Verbose.
- Silent
- In silent mode only error messages and prompts are displayed.
- Executive summary
- If the level is set to summary, then a brief report is produced
as portions of the problem description or databases are read in.
- Verbose
- At the verbose level all information relating to the
problem and its databases are displayed. Some facilities
such as the generation of perspective views repeatedly
access problem description files and you may wish to
silence or moderate the reporting at such times to improve
response time.
Most applications begin at the summary level
and this may be changed at
any time with immediate effect. For convenience, report level
toggles are usually included in several control menus.
When a number is requested for input it is done in a different
way according to the style of display -
- Graphic mode provides a dialogue box at the bottom of the display
window where the prompt will be displayed. Within
this will appear an editing box with the current value.
- To edit, move the mouse into the editing box and place the
cursor where you wish you edit. It should change into a
vertical bar to signify that you are in editing
mode. The cursor may be positioned anywhere in the value displayed
in the editing box by moving the mouse to the desired
position and clicking or using the arrows in the keypad.
The backspace will remove characters.
- To the right of the editing box are three boxes. The
first box is [ok] and this confirms the value, either
as presented or as edited. To proceed either type the
return key within the editing box or mouse-click in
the [ok] box.
To ask for assistance before, during or after editing
press the [?] and a message will pop-up which will give
background information on the nature of the question being
asked, what the default and current values are and, perhaps,
where to find additional information. When you have
read the message move the mouse into the pop-up box and
click. In some cases more than one message box will
appear.
To use the default value, select the [d] box and then
confirm that the value should be used.
Text mode:
- One or two lines of prompt will be displayed in the text
window. Type in the number followed by a carriage return
to continue or type a "?" or "d" to get assistance or to
use the default value.
- To accept the current value simply type a carriage return.
When a string such as a file name or zone name is requested
the format varies according to the style of display -
Graphic:
- This provides a dialogue box at the bottom of the display
window where the prompt will be displayed. Within
this will appear an editing box with the current string
(if it is not a blank).
- To edit, click the mouse within the editing box at the
point you wish to edit; the cursor should change into a
vertical bar to signify that you are in editing
mode. Cursor keys and the backspace work as in the editing
of numbers.
- To the right of the editing box are the standard
[ok] box, [?] help box and [d] default box (see number
editing above for details.
Text mode:
- One or two lines of prompt will be displayed in the text
window. Type in the desired string followed by a carriage
return to continue or type a "?" or "d"
to get assistance or to use the default.
To go to the glossary of terms press here.
To return to the interface overview press here.
To return to the tutorial overview press here.