x2: "Auto refresh" could be better

[narayan]

How to alert user that the auto-refresh is OFF:

I suggest a (blinking?) button very near each folder pane (if the control is separate for each panel; otherwise a common button).

The same button can be used to turn the refresh ON/OFF.

[nikos]

what about those users that are liable to get epileptic fits from flashing images? Who's footing that bill?

anyway there's no better visual "clue" than not getting updates when you expect them, e.g. when copying/moving files. Then you can check the menu item for a checkmark to confirm the diagnosis

[narayan]

At least a normal button, then?

Absence of a responce is misleading; and this should not be the only clue a user has.

He must be goiven a strong visual clue about the status.

This is equivalent of working offline in a browser.

Many a times I have refreshed the "new mails" query of the NetEZ site, without realizing that I was actually working offline!

[nikos]

i 'll bet you that the indicator will be off 99.99999% of the time and being static like that you'd ignore it anyway; a pure waste of space!

[fgagnon]

I doubt usage would be quite that rare.
[More like OFF 98% of the time for 95% of users ==> 99.9% OFF]
Which, for me, actually makes it quite worthwhile.

As for how to notify ...
I would suggest "plain English" in the status bar.
e.g.: " (Auto-Refresh is OFF) -- Ready "

[nikos]

don't get me wrong, the command is already available, it is the indicator that we can't seem to reach agreement on. Why clutter the gui with info that is easily figure-out-able?

[fgagnon]

It sounds like we are all trying to say the same thing: "Because of low usage, the indicator should be clear."
And that's why I suggested plain English in the stautus bar (no need to remember what a particular check-mark, or blinking activity signifies).

[nikos]

why don't you see how it works in 49 -- just out!

[fgagnon]

oooooooo!!! ... what a nice bag of goodies -- and I haven't even finished my Hallowe'en candy yet

[JRz]

Nikos, you did it again! This toolbox of yours is getting better and better

I've had a quick peek at .49 and from what I've seen: I like it !!

Will be experimenting with the new goodies in the next few days. I'll let you now what I think after things have been digested.

Congrats on another (part of the) job well done

[narayan]

Coming back to "indicator" issue-

Another idea: If having a separate button is space-consuming, we can have color-code for the title bar: when the refresh is suspended, show the title-bar's fonts (path) or background in red.

Or a small symbol in the tile bar, showing "offline" status (just like a browser).

[nikos]

screen real estate is one of the considerations. Information overload is another. I hate programs that put date/time, useless indicators like scroll lock and what have you. There is a place for that picture of your lovely niece, but the statusbar isn't the one!

I already think that the menu system is way too complex. I think I'll do a "kiddie" version with only a few basic commands

[narayan]

Not status bar- that's overcrowded. I was talking of the title bar of the folder pane (that shows the path).

If you meant menus are getting too long, how about showing them like the Office applications?

* Seldom-used commands are hidden.
* If user double-clicks on menu headings (File/GoTo/Mark/Edit/View/Action...), then the entire list opens up.

[nikos]

m$ won't release the code for such kind of menus. They hold on to them like old distressed hags.

Pain in the @rse these menus anyway, once you decide you want all the items visible

[flexigon]

How about a toggle option then for Simple / Advanced menu with some shortcut key?

One thing I did notice in the new version is that some menu items are too narrow too fit both the item name and the shortcut key.