Where do I find smooth controls like Keyboard etc.?

[jamtiga via DotNetMonster.com]

Hello,

I am looking for Component Libraries for the .NET Compact Framework (if
possible, Version 2.0).
I found Ressco and ComponentOne.

But in many mobile applications I discovered controls, that were not included
in the libraries mentioned above:
- A soft keyboard: nice keys, big enough to be used with fingers. e.g. used
by TomTom and many other applications
- Smooth buttons with up/down arrows replace the standard scrollbar
- Graphical +/- Buttons instead of the standard NumericUpDown

I can hardly imagine that every software provider for mobile applications
creates his own keyboard and the other controls.
This would be as if every provider of a dynamic web site that contains a date
field would create his own DatePicker.

Does anyone know more about how this is implemented in industry?

Thanks & Regards
Jan

 

[Guest]

It is exactly just that. Providers do in fact "draw" their own. There are
very few providers that develop UI controls for mobile devices, I guess the
main reason is that there isn't much millage in it. The main reason for this
is because the screen is so small, each problem requires a custom control, so
a generic control is not normally sufficient to do the job to a satisfactory
standard expected from users.

I spend a lot of hours writing GDI code to display data that is specific to
the job at hand. Generally you learn to derive from a master class which is
generic to each problem, then the only bit required is the actual drawing.

When you get used to it it is fun, and challenging.

Simon.

 

[jamtiga via DotNetMonster.com]

Simon,

thanks for your answer.
Guess I have to get involved into this matter.
I searched a little bit and I came across the following article:

http://www.opennetcf.org/PermaLink.aspx?guid=d88b1a1a-a866-4247-a0c8-94ab3c124f63


What do you think, is this a good approach / a good document to start with?

Jan

It is exactly just that. Providers do in fact "draw" their own. There are
very few providers that develop UI controls for mobile devices, I guess the
main reason is that there isn't much millage in it. The main reason for this
is because the screen is so small, each problem requires a custom control, so
a generic control is not normally sufficient to do the job to a satisfactory
standard expected from users.

I spend a lot of hours writing GDI code to display data that is specific to
the job at hand. Generally you learn to derive from a master class which is
generic to each problem, then the only bit required is the actual drawing.

When you get used to it it is fun, and challenging.

Simon.

Hello,

[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]

Thanks & Regards
Jan