Re: [Usability] Save As or Export when going to lossey formats?

[Curtis Hovey <sinzui cox net>]

On Thu, 2004-06-24 at 21:59 +0100, Alan Horkan wrote:
> A few applications (but not many) include an Export menu for formats like
> PNG or other raster graphics where data will be lost (and usually there is
> no corresponding open/import for that format).
> (I realise the Gnome Human Interface Guidelines recommend using the
> term Sava a Copy instead of Export, but in some applications Export did
> have more meaning to it than that).
> 
> I'm wondering if this is actually a good idea because I was reading some
> release notes for Adobe Photoshop 7.0 and it explains that it has gotten
> rid of the concept of 'Export' (with the exception of legacy plugins that
> require it).  I'd like to believe that they put some thought into the
> change and that might be some usability basis to it.
> 
> So is seperating out lossy file formats to the Export a good idea, and if
> so when is and isn't it a good idea?

I think this is a very good idea.  When using Gnumeric to save to a
format like CSV, I get a warning about loss.  When a format is being
transformed to a lossy format, I think the intent is to use the data for
another application--the term 'Export' reinforces the user's intent.
'Save As' should be reserved for formats that the application can manage
the data as it sees fit.

-- 
__C U R T I S  C.  H O V E Y____________________
sinzui cox net
Guilty of stealing everything I am.