Navigating the ViewTouch Interface: Point of Sale Mode versus Edit Mode

There are two distinct modes in navigating the ViewTouch interface and, naturally, two distinct methods of navigating in each of the two modes. The first mode, used 99+% of the time, one navigates the user interface in point of sale mode. The second mode, only when building or editing the point of sale interface, one navigates as the 'Editor' when Edit mode is activated by the F1 key.

To log on as Editor, log on with the number 42 or a number which, for security, has been previously substituted for 42 by someone acting as Editor. When one is logged on as Editor but is navigating in Point of Sale mode then 'Training Mode' is indicated at top center of the display. An Editor invokes 'Edit Mode' by pressing the F1 key. When Editor activates Edit Mode, 'Edit Mode' is displayed at top center of the display and Edit mode navigation is in effect.

Table Pages and Table Buttons can only be edited while Editor is in Edit Mode on a Table page, while Menu Pages and Menu Item Buttons can only be edited while Editor is in Edit Mode on a Menu (or Index, or Scripted) Page. Edits (i.e., changes) to any Table or Menu Page can be saved by selecting the F1 key to save one's edits and return to Editor's Training Mode. Editing errors can be thrown away by reverting to the previous saved state by pressing the F11 key. Editor switches between Point of Sale navigation and Editing navigation by toggling the F1 key in and out of Edit Mode.

Each mode of navigation serves its purpose, either navigating in Point of Sale mode or in Edit mode. Point of Sale mode is exclusively touchscreen driven and is linear while Edit mode is mouse and keyboard driven. Point of Sale mode is quite intuitive while Edit mode requires the following explanation. Editing requires use of both modes.

While in Edit mode the ToolBar is available in the display's upper left corner. The ToolBar can be moved to any position on the display. Edit navigation mode provides the ability to Show the list of the Pages and their number IDs, to rapidly view and move to any Page in the application by merely clicking on it. Edit navigation mode also provides the ability to move forward and backward in the list of Pages. Each Page is identified by its Name and its Number when the Page List function is invoked.

The Page List function is often used in conjunction with the Copy Selected (Buttons) and Move Selected (Buttons) to, of course, copy or move buttons from one page to another.

It is quite common for an Editor to move in and out of Edit mode not merely to save edits but also to take advantage of the intuitive nature and benefits of Point of Sale mode navigation.