Re: [Usability] Open Files - Search

[Thorsten Wilms <t_w_ freenet de>]

On Sat, May 12, 2007 at 02:33:21AM +1200, Matthew Paul Thomas wrote:
> >
> > http://thorwil.wordpress.com/2007/05/09/gtk-open-files-search/
> > ...
> 
> I agree with the idea of having a search field that is more obvious and 
> less awkward than a Place. But even after reading the proposal twice, 
> I'm still not sure where your search field *is*, so I'm not sure that 
> this is an improvement. :-) 

Search field, location and path-bar are one. No toggling, no having 
to focus.
Want to search? just type.
Want to go one level up? Just hit backspace or enter ../.
Want to enter an aboslute path? Just start with /
Want to use only the arrow keys for navigation? Just use them.
Nothing of this gets in the way if you want to navigate by mouse 
only.

> Would entering text in the location field 
> perform a search? 

In the one existing entry yes.

> If so, would that prevent people from using the Up 
> and Down keys in auto-completion? 

First down key would select the firts item of the list view, 
then you could move up/down there.

> What would happen if there was a partial match in the current folder, 
> but an exact match inside a subfolder?

I think all matches for the current folder should be listed before 
any sub-folder hits. There could be an extra rule to list exact 
matches first, though. Maybe with relative path in front, instead 
of having headers.


> I agree with Calum that search should be a separate field, because I 
> think it wouldn't be obvious otherwise. But I disagree that this field 
> should be hidden until a button is clicked, for much the same reason.

Obvious? Just type anything and you would see it in action.



> By the way, if that mockup is based on a real application's Open 
> dialog, please report a bug that the dialog's title shouldn't end in 
> "...". :-)

Gedit. So, you read it twice, eh ;)

Can somone with Gnome 2.18 please check if Gedit still uses 
"Open Files ..." as window title?


-- 
Thorsten Wilms

Thorwil's Design for Free Software:
http://thorwil.wordpress.com