Consecutive if same day span over a break?

[Benahmed Abdelkrim]

Maybe, but I prefer to leave things as they are, and simply add one line with a selection square: allow a break between activities.

or this sentence:Allow consecutive activities to spread after a break time...

or this: if consecutive allow activities to spread after a break time.

[Liviu Lalescu]

I noted your opinion, but we need to think of this: adding two Boolean variables for a constraint complicates things. Also, there are not really 2x2=4 options, but only 3, because if the "Force consecutive if on same day" is false, the new variable "Allow breaks between activities" is useless.

[Benahmed Abdelkrim]

Yes, I agree with you. It will be as you said: useless because the new variable will only work if the first variable works, but it is simple and understandable and does not complicate things too much.

[Liviu Lalescu]

For the moment, I still prefer my style, only 3 main options, not 2x2 (but it is in fact your important suggestion, let's not forget this!). It is more correct, because also we inform the user that NO means in fact INDIFFERENT (I think I met such reports).

I will respect your opinion and not rush to my solution. I need to analyze, and we need to talk. I will not go over your acceptance, I promise. Maybe we'll do it 2x2, but we need to think (fortunately, converting later to the other approach is possible and easy).

[Liviu Lalescu]

It is right that this constraint has another possibly redundant information: if the weight is 100%, the consecutive if same day variable is useless.

[Vangelis Karafillidis]

I thought that the clearest form for this feature would be a double check box... the first part should be "consecutive if on the same day"... this first part should always be "active"... (i.e. the user should always be able to check/uncheck it)... the second part should be "inactive" (i.e. the user should not be able to select anything) when the first check box is unchecked...) and become automatically "active" (i.e. the user should be able to check it) when the first check box is checked... and appear by default unchecked when the first one is unchecked... this second part should be a "sub-option" (a "nested" option) and appear "indented" to the right... (when compared to the first part/option)....  I think that the indication "allow break(s) between consecutive activities" is the clearest one I could think of...

Vangelis.

[Liviu Lalescu]

OK, I think you both are right. I will consider two check boxes. But I don't want to rush to this, because it is a critical change. I'll think about it.

It is like in a pocket calculator you want to change the "+" operator: simple, but critical. Everything depends on it. I am not sure I will be able to do it soon. The XML fet file changes, the generation routine changes. We need stability on FET.

[Liviu Lalescu]

I began trying this. I need to be very careful, as I said. And we need to test much. Hmm, I began trying it, but I am not satisfied with the outcome. I will think some more.

But, Benahmed, I suppose it is not useful for you or other Mornings-Afternoons mode users, since you don't usually input breaks between hours?

Also, for the Mornings-Afternoons mode, the two activities must be on the same half day if they are on the same real day. This is current in FET. Do you need to allow one activity morning and the other afternoon?

[Benahmed Abdelkrim]

Not quite since some users introduce breaks between hours others don't. but personally I must admit that I use 100% weight for min days between activities. so this addition for me is useless. but my suggestion is general and maybe useful for others who use a weight < 100%. but if it leads to FET instability, avoiding it by keeping things as they are now is better.

[Liviu Lalescu]

Thank you for your opinion!

I added a third paragraph to my previous post, did you see it?

[Benahmed Abdelkrim]

Also, for the Mornings-Afternoons mode, the two activities must be on the same half day if they are on the same real day. This is current in FET. Do you need to allow one activity morning and the other afternoon?

I think that for the morning - afternoon mode it does not matter; the 2 activities placed in the same half-day or separated, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon... but we must accept that this is relative and depends a lot on the wishes of the users.

[Liviu Lalescu]

Thank you!

Maybe allowing breaks for the constraint (the check box would be checked) would allow one activity in the morning and the next one in the afternoon; otherwise, they must be immediately consecutive on the same half day.

[Benahmed Abdelkrim]

Thank you!

Maybe allowing breaks for the constraint (the check box would be checked) would allow one activity in the morning and the next one in the afternoon; otherwise, they must be immediately consecutive on the same half day.

agree with this idea.