Re: [Usability] application names in the application menu

[Jelle de Jong <jelledejong powercraft nl>]

Gabriel Burt wrote:
> [Sorry for the out-of-thread reply, just joined]
>
> Quote Calum:
>
> "In summary, now that you're a core desktop application and there are
> no other core applications with a similar function, your menu entry
> should not include the word "Cheese". It should be something like
> "Webcam Snapshot" (I'm sure we can do better than that, I haven't
> really woken up yet!), and the tooltip something like "Take photos and
> videos directly from an attached camera". You can use the name
> "Cheese" in the application itself, and in the documentation if that's
> what the current docs guidelines allow, but preferably no more than
> necessary. "
>
> I don't believe this is what the HIG says.  Here's what I wrote on
> http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=322162 regarding Totem's
> .desktop file (slightly modified):
>
> First, many other applications (some GNOME core desktop apps) do not
> put their GenericName as their Name, eg:
>
> Tomboy Notes
> Epiphany Web Browser
> GIMP Image Editor
> OpenOffice.org Writer
> Rhythmbox Music Player
> Pidgin Internet Messenger
> Firefox Web Browser
>
> Second, and more important, the HIG gives three formats for names:
>
> 2.1.1.3. Menu name formats
>   1. If your application's proper name is already descriptive of its
> functionality, and not just suggestive, use the format: Application Name
>   2. If there is a succinct functional description of your application, use the
> format: ApplicationName FunctionalDescription
>   3. A few applications, particularly games, do not have appropriate functional
> descriptions (but note that many games do). In this case, use Application Name
> as the menu name.
>
> #1 and #3 are not applicable (Cheese is not descriptive; it does have
> a functional description), so it should be #2: "Cheese Webcam
> Snapshot".
>
> The main reason I care about this issue is scanning a menu for "Movie
> Player" when I likely have several is not as easy as remembering the
> branding of the application.  When I launch Totem or Cheese they call
> themselves that in the window title (and for Cheese, in place of the
> File menu), so it makes sense to put that in the menu as well.  And, I
> think the HIG agrees.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Gabriel

Definitely +1 for this on my side

Kind regards,

Jellle