RFC: Preferences UI changes

[Hartley Horwitz]

---------- Forwarded message ----------

> From: Willem Ferguson <willemferguson at zoology.up.ac.za>
> To: Subsurface Mailing List <subsurface at subsurface-divelog.org>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Wed, 4 Dec 2019 13:40:31 +0200
> Subject: RFC: Preferences UI changes
> I am wondering whether there is a need to reorganise the Preferences
> settings to make it more user friendly. Currently there are three main
> weaknesses of the Preferences UI:
>
> 1) Preference settings are in obscure places. For instance "Show unused
> cylinder in Equipment tab" is under the Profile settings and "Default
> cylinder is under the  general settings.
>

[HH]  Yes, you've hit a hot-button for me, and I don't know why I've not
mentioned this before.  Those two items should have been grouped together.
And not in the general tab as you've suggested. Adding an equipment tab for
preferences would be good. As others have mentioned the Equipment Tab in
the dive log is the one that most new users struggled with. I'm mashing the
issue of the Equipment tab and the preferences for the equipment tab, but I
guess anything that will help me have to edit that tab as little as
possible (by setting preferences or defaults) is supported by me.

>
> 2) The examples above show that related preferences (in this case
> cylinder use) are located in different tabs. Other case is the settings
> relating to Media thumbnails (Profile tab) and ffmpg settings for video
> thumbnails (General settings).
>
> 3) Some settings are not clear and actually obscure to the person not
> understanding the UI. For instance "Reset dive computers" on the main
> tab actually relates to dive downloads from dive computers and the
> "Import from dc" main menu item. The two Clear Settings preference item
> needs to be split, appearing on different tabs.
>
> The current interface is difficult to operate for those not conversant
> with the history of this interface and who has not read the user manual
> in detail. We need a Preferences UI that is much more intuitive.
>
> I do not think that the following preferences tabs need change. They are
> very specific and currently focus on single topics.
>
> Units, Language, Georeferences, Network.
>

[HH] I suggest renaming Network to Cloud/Web Services or just Cloud
Storage.


> Although I do not use the Georeferences facility, it is probably very
> useful and effort should probably go into making that a more-frequently
> used facility by adding some text or other help that facilitates its use.
>
> I see no use for the General Preferences tab as it is unspecific and
> actually makes the preferences UI more difficult to work.
>
> My proposal is to create several more tabs on the lefthand of the
> Preferences panel, yielding a total of maybe up to 12 or 15 items. Items
> that should feature on the tab list on the LH side of the Preferences UI
> should probably be:
>
[HH] I think it will be daunting to see a list of 15 items.   I suggest
expansion of the list, but only to: Dive log, Display, Equipment, Import
from DC, Media, Cloud, Tech, Clear
 Yes, this will mean some tabs will have multiple items, as I suggest
below.

>
> Dive log (e.g. default divelog location and dive log name)
>
> Display (e.g. font, animation speed)
>
[HH] I'd include languages and unit in here, but that's just my preference.


>
> Equipment (e.g. cylinder-related matters)
>
> Import from dc
>
> Media
>
> The Cloud settings are currently a frequent source of user problems and
> maybe that should be locatable by its own tab.
>
[HH] Yes.


>
> Clear settings to default
>
> The current Profile tab should probably be renamed Tech diving
> preferences or something similar. I would remove the section with Misc
> settings.
>
[HH] Yes to both items regarding the Profile tab.

>
> An obvious aspect that needs attention is that, if the number of tabs
> increase, several may only have one or two settings as is currently the
> case with the Georeferences tab.

[HH] Personally I'd suggest moving the Georeferences into the Dive Log tab


> This may appear to waste the efficiency
> of presenting preferences information. An obvious possibility is to keep
> preferences for more than one tab on a single page. For instance the
> preferences for Cloud and Proxy may remain on a single panel as they
> currently are. Selecting the Cloud icon on the lefthand side opens the
> appropriate tab (with both Proxy and Cloud preferences), but highlights
> the Cloud preferences in some way, maybe using a blue frame. In such a
> case more than one icon on the lefthand side may actually open the same
> tab, but each highlighting its own particular setting(s).
>
[HH]  I think this sounds a bit complex or confusing for a user.

>
> The overall objective is to make the preferences as easy as possible for
> uninitiated users. Upon entering the Preferences UI, the user should be
> able to locate the appropriate preference rapidly. I would probably try
> to enable a clickable link with each setting that opens the user manual
> at the appropriate text.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> willem
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.subsurface-divelog.org/pipermail/subsurface/attachments/20191205/5f44f6ea/attachment.html>