http://www.xemion.com/multipleitem.htm

See above example.

I'm looking for ways to make that easier for the users of my website.

It's pretty simple, I have a list of options and the user can select
certain options from that list to modify.  This list could be from one
to several hundred (or more).

The old method involves a long list of items with a checkbox beside
each one.  The user has to scroll a long page and check each one.  I
personally felt the new method is easier.  You don't have to scroll
the pages and you can click inside the select box and press "T" to go
write to the items starting with "T".

My question......what's the easiest way you can think of allow users
to easily and quickly select multiple options like this?  Keep in mind
there could be anywhere from 1 to hundreds of options.  Now, only
either a select few
of the options or all of the options would actually be selected...but
there could be lots and lots of option to select from, make sense?

To sum up, I'm looking for NEW and INNOVATIVE ways to achieve the
functionality I desire as EASILY and QUICKLY as possible for my users.
 I expect the answer to be technical and probably use DHTML unless I'm
missing a really simple and easy way to do this.  You do not need to
program it for me as long as it's technologically possible (and
cross-browser).  Just explain the functionality.

This is a subjective question, just fyi.  If your answer is perfect,
then I only need one answer.  If you answer is merely a nice
suggestion that may work, then I expect lots of suggestions.  I would
prefer a knowledgeable answer and not a list of "you could do it this
way, you could do it that way".  Read the first sentence of my
previous paragraph to see exactly what I'm looking for.

My definition of "perfect" wins overs yours.  If you go beyond my
expectations, a tip will be given.  Rating will always be given. 
Thanks and please ask for clarification if you need it!

I would also appreciate COMMENTS on whether the new method is easier
than the old method?  What are your opinions?

xemion-ga

read this again before you answer:
I'm looking for NEW and INNOVATIVE ways to achieve the functionality I
desire as EASILY and QUICKLY as possible for my users.

The "new" way is the way to go, but make sure the users can select
multiple items with shift-click (a range) and ctrl-click (separated
multiples).  I hope you know what I meant by this (your current new
method does not appear to do this--you might want to take a look at
some survey or job sites--like the location preference menu of:

http://www.cisco.com/pcgi-bin/jobs/JobAgent?rm=newsearch

Here is Just what you wanted!
http://javascript.internet.com/miscellaneous/move-dual-list.html

the shift click and ctrl click works for selecting , but when i move
them over it only moves over one of them.

Wow, great script redoc.  That's exactly what I wanted the "new"
method to be like and hadn't figured out yet how to program it do
that.  Thanks a lot for the comments guys!

If anyone can come up witih NEW and INNOVATIVE ways to achieve the
functionality I desire as EASILY and QUICKLY as possible for my users,
I'm still waiting for an answer!  Thanks!

xemion-ga

I do not understand what you mean by "If anyone can come up witih NEW
and INNOVATIVE ways to achieve the functionality I desire as EASILY
and QUICKLY as possible for my users, I'm still waiting for an
answer!" can you explain what you are wanting? do you mean you want
someone to code a easy javascript app that you can give to other to
use that is easy to change and understand?

hehe Thank you by the way for the recoginition :)

redoc's suggested script is what I'd want to
use when I visited your site...

redoc,

I've got the *old* method and the *new* method, right?  I'm looking
for *another* method that is better than the new method.  Most people
seem to prefer the new method, but I'm looking for something even
better.  I can't think of anything, so I was hoping someone else
could.  I want it to be *easy* to understand (the current method's a
tad complicated) and I want it to allow the users to *quickly* select
their choices.

In short, I can't think of anything better and I'm hoping someone else
can :-)

You don't have to program the javascript for me, I'm quite capable of
doing that myself if you can just outline for me the better way to do
it.  Granted, it must be technically cross-browser possible to do, but
I can write the code myself if you can just think of a better way to
do it.  There might be a better way that doesn't need javascript, I
dunno.

I'm just looking for creativeness and innovation.

Does this answer your question?  Thanks.

xemion-ga

Oh I see what you mean, coolness, I will think about that one, and ask
around to see if anyone had any good idea's :)


Have a Great day!


~Redoc~

Ok well here are a few ideas:

1. HARD: make a GUI in javascript(or any other scripting language)
that is like file browsing, make a large box that the files are
displayed in(files as in files or any type of items), make a line down
the middle, if a file is more then 50% over the line on the left side
it mean one think and if it is more then 50% on the right site it
means the other thing. Though this would be hard, you could make a
circle that was like a pie that could have many options.

2. KINDA HARD: make a GUI in javascript(or any other scripting
language) that displays what looks like icons, make those icons be
somewhat interactive, so that you can highlight them(I am not sure how
to do that but maybe have it look at where the mouse goes and select
anything in that rectangle) and have a toolbar that would have options
to do actions to the selected items.

3. EASY: use the new method... hehe  oh wait that is not new :)

well that is somewhere to start, let me know if you have any ideas, I
will think of more I am sure.

Have a Great day Xemion!



~Redoc~

Thanks for the suggestions, redoc!  If nothing else, they'll help me
get my brain going.  If you come up with anything else, please let me
know!  Are you a researcher?

xemion-ga

Nope I am not a researcher for Google, But I would love to be...

a new a cool way to do a pick list?

I think you are limited by the interface, javascript is really the
only way to go for almost gauranteed functionality
Java by default is not available on XP
Basic is windows only

so that really leaves the dual list example, I personally would
improve it by removing the buttons and making it a single click
action, which would be much faster for your users
you would still need a select all or deselect all button though
replace the buttons with images for "coolness" they would have to be
"submit" images to ensure they work in most browsers