Create Congregation Hyperlink on the main Status Bar

[cengizu]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe. The way it currently works, the name of the congregation does not appear in the status bar on the main screen when the program is first installed or if the user does not specify a congregation.

Describe the solution you'd like A hyperlink can be placed in the status bar to encourage users to create a local congregation. Clicking on it will open the Congregations window. When the congregation name is entered and the Local box is checked, the congregation name will be displayed normally in the status bar. This feature allows novice users to discover for themselves what they need to do, or to be gently guided if they have missed it.

Hyperlink may say something like Create congregation, Set congregation, etc.

[ajtruckle]

@cengizu It is a good idea. In-fact, it is critical that the user:

1. Create an entry for their own congregation.
2. Set it as Local.
3. Indicate meeting days and times.

Since this information is used by the application.

I'll look into it in due course.

[ajtruckle]

@cengizu The Meeting Editor has drop-down lists on some of the panes on the status bar. Eg:

We could replicate the same logic in the main application window and use a CMFCLinkCtrl. We already use these controls on the About window. And we could add the menu item icon as a bonus. 😊

In-fact, it could be a permanent hyperlink:

• Add Congregation > Display Add Congregation window.
• Congregation Name > Display Edit Congregation window.

We might have to cater for when the congregation is invalid (ie. deleted from database).

[ajtruckle]

@cengizu Good news! I now know how to intercept the hyperlink click event to perform my own custom action. See:

Override CMFCLinkCtrlclick behaviour

[ajtruckle]

@cengizu I have made a start on this:

• Icon: Same icon as used by the local congregation in the menu.
• Tooltip: Local Congregation.
• URL: Add Congregation or the name of the local congregation.
• Click: Displays the Congregation window.

The URL is refreshed whenever you Add / Edit / Delete a congregation since the link might be affected.

[ajtruckle]

Related Q & A:

Detecting menu item text (and ID)

[ajtruckle]

@cengizu I have put a beta on Google Drive for you to test. I have not thoroughly tested it myself.

[cengizu]

@ajtruckle icon is misaligned, link is working when clicked

[ajtruckle]

@cengizu Good catch! I need to manually move the link control when the window gets resized. Sending you another beta.

[cengizu]

@ajtruckle Working well.

💡Two things that could be improved would be:

• if the status bar link could be updated immediately after the congregation is set, without the need to restart. If technically possible.
• if the link icon could be the same as menu Database > Congregations

[ajtruckle]

@cengizu

if the status bar link could be updated immediately after the congregation is set, without the need to restart. If technically possible.

Using the SetURL method was supposed to update the hyperlink text (according to the documentation) but it clearly is not working. I eventually found a way around it and will send you a new beta shortly. I added a Q & A on Stackoverflow for my own piece of mind:

Setting the URL text for a CMFCLinkCtrl

if the link icon could be the same as menu Database > Congregations

I was originally using that icon. But then it dawned on me that this hyperlink is a short-cut to the local congregation. And if you check the GUI the local congregation uses a different image.

[cengizu]

@ajtruckle

Now it looks good with the new icon. Great!

(just a cosmetic issue) is it possible to remove the highligting rectange around the congregation name? It only disappears if I click one of the cells in Week Overview

[ajtruckle]

@cengizu I think I have managed to remove the focus rectangle for you. I agree that we don't need it on the status bar.

Beta 5 on it's way to you.

[cengizu]

@ajtruckle

Beta 5 works fine 👍

[ajtruckle]

@cengizu Great! All that's left is making relevant changes to the help documentation.

I suggest:

• Update the image here to include the icon on the status bar:

https://www.publictalksoftware.co.uk/help-msa/

• Update step 2 here:

https://www.publictalksoftware.co.uk/help-msa/msa-quick-start.html