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[markf2748]

Background
Error Free Mode (EFM) can play an important role in debugging and network communications.

For one thing, EFM apparently can impact the visibility of networked renderers under Playing Now and the continuity of playing to networked renderers.

I understand there is a MCWS command for revealing and setting EFM, based on these threads:
https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=94619.0
https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=115546.0

Example:
http://localhost:52199/MCWS/v1/Configuration/ErrorFreeMode?ErrorFree=1

Feature Request - EFM Indicator:
Please provide an indicator in MC to show current state of EFM with ability to change EFM.  This could be (1) a multi-state custom toolbar button (optionally placed in top or bottom toolbar), (2) a small (but optional) button in a fixed location (3) a new menu item under View, Player, or Tools.

Feature Request - Error Log:
Please implement an error message logging feature with date/time stamp.  Ideally all messages should be logged and readily available to the user, whether in EFM or not.

[Matt]

I'll add a toolbar button to the next build.  Thanks for the suggestion.

[markf2748]

I'll add a toolbar button to the next build.  Thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks - that's a nice solution, especially since it can act as an indicator in the Customize Toolbar's "dim icons" mode.

FYI, attached is the Custom Toolbar Button I'm trying for Error Free Mode, intending to show that warning (and error) messages are blocked.  The image is simplified to work at very small scale and be recognizable in the "dim icons" greyed-out low contrast state.  Also attached is an alternative using text.

--> These avoid duplicating the <convert> and <ZoneSwitch> buttons, as well as the Options > Encoding icon for <ErrorFree>.  All default to the same image consisting of two opposing white arrows on gradient orange field.

Win 11 Pro (64-bit) | MC 32.0.40 (in beta)

[zybex]

May I propose something based on a traffic sign? Maybe the yellow one:

[markf2748]

For me, the problem is to come up with a button that messages "Warning:  No warnings or messages", i.e. you are in Error Free Mode.

@zybex:  The traffic signs are nice and simple, but I don't care for their messaging:
The leftmost red says "No [something]", such as no parking (a Regulatory Sign)
The rightmost red says "Do not enter" (a Regulatory Sign)
The center yellow triangle says "Warning" in a general sense, without identifying the danger.  I agree this is the best of the three, but it does not really evoke the lack of messaging which is the hallmark of EFM.

I've thrown out a few more candidates in the attachments, which to me at least, send the desired message.  I haven't had the time yet to see which work well at very small scale.  They use Segoe UI font for clarity on screen, and color "Safety Yellow" RGB=FFE100.  Background white squares are 70% opaque.

The "diamond" yellow square is the standard shape for the majority of roadside Warning Signs in the US.  A yellow triangle is the equivalent in some other parts of the world, and also appears in a lot of software warning messages.

Edit:  Improved ErrorFree3 -->ErrorFree3a; ErrorFree6 -->ErrorFree6a.  For clarity at small scale and when greyed out:  Yellow FFE100 --> FF0000, Background --> 50% gray opaque square.

[zybex]

I'd argue that your last icon also says "no something"

All of them are two-state icons; colored when active, grey when inactive. So they all mean "something" or "not something"; unless they explicitly say EF as in your other examples, they're quite equivalent and require the user to know what they mean. An explicit tooltip will help.

The problem with the EF is that it's pretty much unreadable at 16x16 and maybe also at 32x32. Not sure what's the scale on the top toolbar icons. Also, EF is possibly meaningless to many non-english users.

[markf2748]

The problem with the EF is that it's pretty much unreadable at 16x16 and maybe also at 32x32. Not sure what's the scale on the top toolbar icons. Also, EF is possibly meaningless to many non-english users.

For 1920x1200 Dell 2412M (24" diagonal) monitor and Windows Display Scale = 100%, the Custom Toolbar icon sizes (derived from counting pixels in screenshots) are:

MC Size 100% ==> 16x16 pixels
MC Size 125% ==> 20x20 pixels
MC Size 150% ==> 24x24 pixels
etc.

At MC Size 100%, text in the previous icons (except for ErrorFree2) is too small to read.
At 150% everything works.

ErrorFree7.png (attached) with English text has Seqoe UI 36 point font and is readable at 100%, both greyed out and bright.  Bright yellow FF0000 field indicates a warning without constricting text size, while "E F" text makes the warning explicit in English.

My current personal preference is ErrorFree6a.png (or the first posted ErrorFree.png) with the red X over a "conventional" yellow triangle intended to indicate there are no warning messages in this mode.  If not 100% clear at first glance, I think the message is relatively easy to learn and remember (even though MC's actual popup messages seem to use a circled question mark on blue gradient).   ErrorFree9.png (attached) is still another variation.  I have tooltips turned on, which as you say also helps.

The attached "mode switch" button has a clear image at small scale but with a distinguishing yellow gradient field instead of the orange field used elsewhere in MC.  Personally, I find the symbol too ambiguous here - it really leans on the tooltip.

Enhancement Request (again):  Add adjustable icon size for the Custom Toolbar buttons, independent of View > Size.  For example, add a "Size" text box to the Customize Toolbar... buttons menu.   No idea if toolbar button size is currently skinnable in MC.  Note:  Other modern programs where toolbars play an important role, such as Inkscape and Gimp, allow toolbar icon sizes to be adjusted by the user in the UI preferences.

4/26/2024:  Multiple clarifications.  Add ErrorFree9.png and ErrorFree-ModeSwitch.png.
4/28/2024:  FYI, I have 19 toolbar buttons with settings:  Options > Tree & View > List > Show tooltips: Yes | Customize Toolbar > Text Options: No Text Labels

Win 11 Pro (64-bit) | MC 32.0.42