Chapter 3. Quick Tour

Table of Contents

Navigation
Tabs
Actions
Buttons
Crumb Trail
Status Messages
Fields
Sections
Users
Groups
Accounts
Printers
Reports
Cards
Options
Application Log
About
Basic User Operations
Basic Printer Operations
Interface Levels
Admin Access
User Access
Assigning Administrator Level Access
Charting, Statistics, Reports and Logs
Charts
Reports
Logging

This section will guide you through the main areas of the application and cover some common management tasks.

Navigation

Before we jump in and start our tour of PaperCut NG it is important to take some time to understand the application's navigation tools. The subsequent sections detail the major user interface elements.

Tabs

Application navigation tabs

Figure 3.1. Application navigation tabs

Application areas are grouped into tabs that logically separate parts of the system. Selecting a tab displays the controls and information related to that area. Users will be familiar with the concept of tabs from many other applications.

Actions

The Actions area. Click to perform the action.

Figure 3.2. The Actions area. Click to perform the action.

Throughout the application, the Actions area lists a number of tasks or actions that can be performed. The Actions list is always located in the top left-hand corner of the application window. Actions are adaptive and the list of actions changes depending on the area of the application being viewed.

Buttons

Buttons to validate and save settings

Figure 3.3. Buttons to validate and save settings

Changes made to options, user settings or configurations are only validated and applied after submitting the change. Screens that you can save in the application will have the following buttons located at the bottom:

  • Apply - Validate and save the changes and return to this location/object

  • OK - Validate and save the changes and return to the data list ready to select and edit another object.

  • Cancel - Don't save and changes.

Crumb Trail

The crumb trail highlighting the location

Figure 3.4. The crumb trail highlighting the location

The crumb trail serves two purposes. It maps out the navigation path followed by the user and provides a way to navigate up (back) the navigation path. For example, while editing a user's account, the crumb trail provides a hyperlink up one level back to the User List.

Status Messages

A red status message indicating a validation error

Figure 3.5. A red status message indicating a validation error

Important status messages are displayed in the top section of the application window. Messages relating to an error or requiring user intervention are displayed in red. Standard messages are displayed in green and cautions in yellow.

Fields

A field highlighted indicating a validation error

Figure 3.6. A field highlighted indicating a validation error

Configuring printers, users or settings are often done via text fields. Changes made to fields are validated after pressing OK or Apply buttons. If the field fails validation, the offending data is marked with a red asterisk. Typical validation errors include invalid number or currency formats.