Re: [Usability] RFP: File chooser user interface

[Alan Horkan <horkana maths tcd ie>]

> > I'm not sure about having the location on top (I am sure I don't think it

> Point taken. I thought about this myself. What are we trying to do ?
> enter the name of a file -> File textbox on top.

the location, combined with a drop down menu of preset locaions might
work (i'm trying to remember how the Mac file dialog work but failing
entirely).

> > In a file open dialog my belief is that ordinary users are more likely to
> > select the file by pointing and clicking on the icons, finding the file is
> > the major first part of the task.
> Yes, you are correct. My dialog is more focused on Save As, and not
> Open.. Are these two inclusive ? Perhaps it is an idea to provide two
> different dialogs for Open and Save As ? Not very different, though.
> Say that for the 'open' dialog, we remove the first section
> ('Information') from my mockup, and provide an alternative 'location'
> text-box below the nautilus view ?

I am really not sure but I do think it is important to look at the task
being performed and acknowleged the differences.

I certainly dont think I have ever created a new folder while opening a
file, but if people think it better to keep the Open and Save dialogs as
similar as possible then there is no harm in leaving it there.

> Which is the thought behind my mockup. Although I have no buttons for
> 'preset locations'. I thought they could be part of the dropdown for the
> 'location' box.


> I agree. The best thing for a user would be if he needn't care about the
> extension or mimetype at all.

> > Preset values, excellent but most applications will consider slightly
> > different locations to be the most interesting.  I'm not sure if a full
> > blown bookmarking/shortcuts widget is needed (a Quick Folders, section in
> > the nautilus bookmarks for save locations perhaps)

> Which is why the caller-application can suggest locations and filenames
> to be put in the dropdowns.

I think that at the top of the dialog you could have the locations and
presets, as well as the box for File Name giving plenty of suggestions.

> > the location box could be very poweful and have lots of unobtrusive
> > features (all kinds of regular expressions) for the power user.
> I would like that ! :)

Calum Benson was right of course, an organised list of requirements is a
far better way to go about this.  If he or some one else could help
provide some structure and organisation framework I'll try and fill in all
the ideas I can think of in a methodical way.  I have some notes from ages
ago about I can probably order into some sort of a sensible checklist of
requirements and suggestions.

Sincerely

Alan Horkan
http://advogato.org/person/AlanHorkan/