display boolean state

Most widgets allow you to set the into read-only mode.

Thanks, Antheus, but that doesn't really answer my question. I could use a disabled checkbox or even derive a new checkbox type and add a readonly state, but my point is that I don't believe a checkbox is the right widget to display readonly boolean state. Even a disabled checkbox suggests that there should be something the user can do to edit this value.

I'm looking for a better way to convey readonly boolean state to the user (short of a label that says "1" or "0" [grin])

I would just use a descriptive static label. Like "lighting on" vs. "lighting off" or whatever.

What exactly does this state represent?

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Original post by Simian Man I would just use a descriptive static label. Like "lighting on" vs. "lighting off" or whatever. What exactly does this state represent?

This is more of a general query than a specific instance. Usually it's some server variable that the user has no control over, but needs to know (for example if something is in stock).

A descriptive label certainly conveys the info in a "readonly" way, but when looking at a dialog box (this is for a business app in my day job) a label doesn't really stand out.

Ah, I'm probably just being overly fussy.

What about a little box displaying green or red, for true or false respectively.

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Original post by Dancin_Fool What about a little box displaying green or red, for true or false respectively.

Obstifucation FTW!

First thing that pops up in my mind is a radio button. Though most of these widgets are used for input, so secondly I thought of a green/red box.

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Original post by Obbedemus First thing that pops up in my mind is a radio button. Though most of these widgets are used for input, so secondly I thought of a green/red box.

Sorry, no cookie for you [smile]. The semantics of a radio button are choosing one option from many, not a boolean switch.

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Original post by ChaosEngine Quote: Original post by Simian Man I would just use a descriptive static label. Like "lighting on" vs. "lighting off" or whatever. What exactly does this state represent? This is more of a general query than a specific instance. Usually it's some server variable that the user has no control over, but needs to know (for example if something is in stock).

Reserve some space and show either a green checkmark or a red X icon.

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Original post by Zahlman Quote: Original post by ChaosEngine Quote: Original post by Simian Man I would just use a descriptive static label. Like "lighting on" vs. "lighting off" or whatever. What exactly does this state represent? This is more of a general query than a specific instance. Usually it's some server variable that the user has no control over, but needs to know (for example if something is in stock). Reserve some space and show either a green checkmark or a red X icon.

that sounds good, will give it a go.

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Original post by ChaosEngine Quote: Original post by Obbedemus First thing that pops up in my mind is a radio button. Though most of these widgets are used for input, so secondly I thought of a green/red box. Sorry, no cookie for you [smile]. The semantics of a radio button are choosing one option from many, not a boolean switch.

Hey, now I think you're beeing a bit rushy. I know radios are for choosing, but if you only have on that is readonly and filled or not filled that can symbolize true/false. And my second alternative is more or less exactly what you decided upon. ^^