Toolbar in 1.2.2
Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 9:21 pm
I like the new Toolbar in 1.2.2, but I think there's room for optimization.
To me, the Toolbar's main task is to display information on long-lasting file operations. This works nicely with one operation, like copying one item.
Issue 1:
When you select multiple items and then copy them, the Toolbar combines the information into "Copying ... items to..." and displays one big progress bar. This works, but I would also like to see some more information about all enqueued items. What is currently copying, what is already finished?
Issue 2:
When you copy multiple items individually (move cursor, press F5), then NC creates individual entries, nice! But if you want to see information about the items, you have to click (!) on those little up/down buttons to navigate between the entries. This is cumbersome, you don't see the complete list and you don't see what's already done.
A nice design pattern that I've seen in some apps handles this issue like this:
- If multiple items are selected, e.g. for copying, show individual progress entries
- In the destination-panel, show indicators (e.g. progress bars) for incomplete entries
- Have a visualization for the complete queue (e.g. scrollable list) accessible by keyboard shortcut
Here's how it's done in ForkLift as an example:
(Cosmetic) Issue 3:
The progress bar in the Dock icon is currently almost unreadable. I've seen this design element in other apps, but it never worked for me. Maybe try a nice red badge with a percentage on the icon?
What do you think?
To me, the Toolbar's main task is to display information on long-lasting file operations. This works nicely with one operation, like copying one item.
Issue 1:
When you select multiple items and then copy them, the Toolbar combines the information into "Copying ... items to..." and displays one big progress bar. This works, but I would also like to see some more information about all enqueued items. What is currently copying, what is already finished?
Issue 2:
When you copy multiple items individually (move cursor, press F5), then NC creates individual entries, nice! But if you want to see information about the items, you have to click (!) on those little up/down buttons to navigate between the entries. This is cumbersome, you don't see the complete list and you don't see what's already done.
A nice design pattern that I've seen in some apps handles this issue like this:
- If multiple items are selected, e.g. for copying, show individual progress entries
- In the destination-panel, show indicators (e.g. progress bars) for incomplete entries
- Have a visualization for the complete queue (e.g. scrollable list) accessible by keyboard shortcut
Here's how it's done in ForkLift as an example:
(Cosmetic) Issue 3:
The progress bar in the Dock icon is currently almost unreadable. I've seen this design element in other apps, but it never worked for me. Maybe try a nice red badge with a percentage on the icon?
What do you think?