Wireshark Q&A

This is a static archive of our old Q&A Site. Please post any new questions and answers at ask.wireshark.org.

Hi, Working on a MAC (OSX 10.11.1 - EL Captain) with Wireshark 2.0.0. I'm trying to setup WLAN packet decryption. Strangely the Preferences menu-entry underneath the Edit menu is missing. Underneath the Configuration Profiles... menu-entry (where the Preferences menu-entry is suppose to be) I do have Start dictation and Emoji & Symbols. Anyone has a clue why?

tx,

entry preferences missing

asked 19 Dec '15, 15:02

spd
11●1●1●4
accept rate: 0%

edited 19 Dec '15, 20:32

Guy Harris ♦♦
17.4k●3●35●196

One Answer:

The standard location for preferences on OS X is under the application menu. The toolkit we're using (Qt) follows this convention by placing them under under Wireshark→Preferences as well as making them accessible via the command-comma (⌘-,) keyboard shortcut. Qt places the About Wireshark menu item under the Wireshark menu as well.

The traditional location for preferences on other platforms has been Edit→Preferences and that was where they ended up on OS X in earlier versions of Wireshark. We'll probably keep using that location on other platforms, although the Windows design guidelines now seems to recommend Tools→Options and the GNOME HIG recommends [Application menu]→Preferences.

answered 19 Dec '15, 16:18

Gerald Combs ♦♦
3.3k●9●22●58
accept rate: 24%

Qt places the About Wireshark menu item under the Wireshark menu as well.

...which is where it's supposed to be in OS X applications.

(Presumably spd noted that the menu bar isn't where it used to be, either. :-))

the Windows design guidelines now seems to recommend Tools→Options and the GNOME HIG recommends [Application menu]→Preferences.

And the KDE HIG says

Use these standard menu categories if they apply to your application: File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, Tools, Settings, Window, Help.

so I guess they'd go in some item under the Settings menu.

(19 Dec '15, 20:36) Guy Harris ♦♦

Preferences menu missing on OS X