Change is not only a theme for the 2008 U.S. presidential election, it is the theme for BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 3.0. One of the dramatic new features of the new release is the new icon for measure objects. Gone is the emasculating hot pink sphere in favor of a more masculine yellow rectangle. Perhaps the product managers felt a new shape and color were needed to reinforce the introduction of new “smart” measures with database delegated computation? Or is this just change for the sake of change?
[UPDATE: it’s a ruler, stupid. Measure. Ruler. Get it?]
In everyday usage, I’ve noticed that the color yellow is confusing because it is the color shared by condition objects (the standard yellow filter icon). Yes, I realize that there are two different shades of yellow, but I’m still confused. In Web Intelligence, condition objects (or predefined filters) appear at the end of the class list, which is frequently where measure objects are placed. I’m noticing that my brain is going for color instead of shape or object name. So I’m grabbing a measure object when I want a predefined condition or vice versa. I would much prefer if all four object types (dimension, detail, measure, and predefined condition) would have unique colors, which was the case prior to XI 3.0.
Who wants to join me in the campaign to restore the pink sphere to its former glory?
i kinda like the yellow measure object, but then i haven’t used xi 3.0 as much as you have. i don’t fancy your chances – maybe go for the strategy of requesting skins for the universe objects? 🙂
I was told by someone in the BO ranks that the new object icons were put in last minute and are there due to the takeover, i.e. they’re derived from SAP icons or something like that.
if you look closely you'll see that it really isn't just a rectangle – it's a ruler. And you use rulers to measure things so it actually does make sense