[IxDA Discuss] Should closing a window save changes?

[Paul Schreiber]

Martin wrote:

> On the Mac at least, save on close if often implied, at least for
> preferences windows. There is no OK/Cancel button, and closing the  
> window
> via the red X button will save the changes and close the window. So  
> you
> could argue that for Mac users the expectation would be that  
> changes are
> saved automatically, at least if the changes are related to setting
> preferences. Windows users might expect the opposite though.
>
> How about asking for a confirmation on close? If there are unsaved  
> changes,
> intercept the close and ask if the changes should be saved or  
> discarded.

This is incorrect.

In most Mac OS X applications (Finder, Safari, etc.), preference  
changes happen immediately, as soon as the checkbox/radio button/ 
button is clicked. You don't need to close the window.

There are a couple of exceptions/variations:
- In Mail > Preferences > Accounts, changes must be confirmed with a  
Save/Don't Save/Cancel sheet
- In DVD Player and iTunes, the preferences dialogs are modal, and  
you must click OK


Paul

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