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Moving the 'Delete' and 'Move Files' buttons


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24 Posts   55424 Views

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elijahlofgren

Google Summer of Code Hacker, 222 Posts

16 June 2007 at 4:16pm

I hit a lot of dead ends trying to figure out a way to move the 'Delete' and 'Move Files' buttons in the 'Files & Images' section in order to fix critical usability issue #48 "Delete and Move Files buttons need repositioning"

Then tonight I found out that I could use appendChild() to easily move any element, anywhere: http://www.elijahlofgren.com/silverstripe/diffs/Usability-48-reposition-delete-and-move-files-buttons-example-concept-cms-gsoc-36933.diff

If I cleaned up the code and made it only apply to the 'Files & Images' section, what would you think about a button placement similar to the screen shots posted here?
http://www.elijahlofgren.com/silverstripe/delete-and-move-files-buttons-need-repositioning/

What is the best way to fix this usability issue?

Thank you for your help,

Elijah Lofgren

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elijahlofgren

Google Summer of Code Hacker, 222 Posts

28 June 2007 at 1:10pm

Today I spent a long time trying to fix this in a better way, and I think I may have succeeded. :)

Changes are a net loss of code :)
http://www.elijahlofgren.com/silverstripe/patches/Fix-Usability-Issue-48-delete-and-move-files-buttons-need-repositioning-cms-gsoc-r37498.patch

Screenshot showing new button & move file dropdown location:
http://www.elijahlofgren.com/silverstripe/images/usability/48-fixed.png

Do you think this is a good way to fix this usability issue?

If so, I will apply it to the gsoc branch.

Eagerly awaiting your feedback,

Elijah

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Sean

Forum Moderator, 922 Posts

28 June 2007 at 6:36pm

Edited: 28/06/2007 6:37pm

I think that's good. I guess the idea is to ensure, as you've always previously done - is to check that it works consistently across different browsers.

It's good that you've positioned the save button there, now that the other action buttons were moved to the bottom right as well on other sections of the CMS. Is it possible to right align those 'Delete...' and 'Move...' buttons and dropdowns to the right, for a bit more consistency?

I'm not sure positioning them right would be the best idea in terms of usability, but to me it would be easier to group any action buttons together, rather than have some on the left, and one on the right. Perhaps someone else has a suggestion here?

> Changes are a net loss of code :)

Fantastic work. :-)

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elijahlofgren

Google Summer of Code Hacker, 222 Posts

29 June 2007 at 3:38am

Edited: 29/06/2007 3:40am

> I think that's good. I guess the idea is to ensure, as you've always previously done - is to check that it works consistently across different browsers.

I'll plan on doing that. :)

> It's good that you've positioned the save button there, now that the other action buttons were moved to the bottom right as well on other sections of the CMS. Is it possible to right align those 'Delete...' and 'Move...' buttons and dropdowns to the right, for a bit more consistency?

I agree that the way they were left aligned was not optimal. I was going to suggest also moving both the buttons and the checkboxes to the right, but then I did some searching and found that checkboxes on the left is pretty much a standard.

> I'm not sure positioning them right would be the best idea in terms of usability, but to me it would be easier to group any action buttons together, rather than have some on the left, and one on the right. Perhaps someone else has a suggestion here?

I've done a mockup of what I think is a better design. Everything is now on one line, and it gives more room for the folder drop-down:
http://www.elijahlofgren.com/silverstripe/images/usability/48-better-mockup.png

I think this layout is more usable and also allows for a more logical move file process. 1. Go down the row checking the boxes. 2. Move mouse to the right and choose folder (instead of skipping over "Delete files" button as before". 3. Continue moving mouse right and click "Move files" (instead of moving back to the left).

In addition, the more dangerous "Delete files" button is made less prominent by right aligning it. I'll also plan to make the background of "Delete files" red on hover.

What do you think of this new mockup?

Thanks,

Elijah

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Sam

Administrator, 690 Posts

29 June 2007 at 11:03am

One suggestion I would make is renaming "Save" to "Save folder name" or something. People are often confused about what that save button is for - it doesn't actually do anything to the folder contents!

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Tim

Community Member, 201 Posts

29 June 2007 at 1:03pm

With the deletion of files, why don't we just have a "delete" icon in a column along side the edit icon? I think this is more inductive / standard than the check box solution.

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elijahlofgren

Google Summer of Code Hacker, 222 Posts

29 June 2007 at 2:07pm

> One suggestion I would make is renaming "Save" to "Save folder name" or something. People are often confused about what that save button is for - it doesn't actually do anything to the folder contents!

Indeed! In addition, I will make the "Save folder name" button not show for the root folder since "assets" cannot be renamed. Having a useless save button there doesn't help things. ;)

> With the deletion of files, why don't we just have a "delete" icon in a column along side the edit icon? I think this is more inductive / standard than the check box solution.

Would we then remove the option to delete multiple files at once? Or would this be an addition of functionality?

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Tim

Community Member, 201 Posts

29 June 2007 at 5:23pm

I suggest we replace the check box solution entirely for the deletion of files. As along as we make the deletion "Ajax-y" there won't be any performance issues for the deletion of multiple files. In most situations however, people will only be deleting one or two files so I don't think we need to be overly concerned about this regardless.

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