Object Badges and Annotations
Badges and annotations convey information about an object, for example, its state.
Badges
A badge is a small image that overlays the lower-right corner of the object icon.
- See the Icon Badges for a list of standard badges.
- Use the badge throughout the UI except in the following places:
- In the title bar of dialog boxes and wizards
- In the Recent Tasks portlet or in the Task Console, which displays historical information. Showing the current status might contradict the historical information and confuse the user.
- Use only one badge per icon. If an object has both state and status:
- If the status of the object is normal, use the state badge (for example, "Power On" or "Suspended") or no badge (if the object is powered off).
- If the status is abnormal (warning, alert, needs input, or unknown), use the status badge.
- Find ways to convey state and status in addition to the badge.
This example shows a status column in a datagrid. A benefit of showing status in a datagrid is that users can filter the objects based on this information.
Annotations
An annotation is a text string appended to an object name, for example, (Disconnected) or (Not Responding).
- Display the annotation when the object appears in the Navigator or in a datagrid.
- Don't show the annotation:
- In the title bar of the main content area, dialogs, and the Actions menu.
- In a portlet
- Use title capitalization, for example, (Not Responding).