[Bug 280726] New: Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

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[Bug 280726] New: Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

Bugzilla from malv_star@hotmail.com
https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=280726

           Summary: Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined
           Product: digikam
           Version: 1.8.0
          Platform: Unlisted Binaries
        OS/Version: Linux
            Status: UNCONFIRMED
          Severity: wishlist
          Priority: NOR
         Component: Import
        AssignedTo: [hidden email]
        ReportedBy: [hidden email]


Version:           1.8.0 (using KDE 4.6.0)
OS:                Linux

I currently support several hundred Linux users running KDE.  These users have
migrated from Windows on my recommendation, on the basis that Linux is more
reliable, stable, and though not as familiar as Windows, ultimately more
user-friendly.  This has met with some success, however there are lingering
issues. The number one application I get complaints and support calls about, is
digiKam.  Specifically, the downloading of photos from camera has been a
sticking point for a large proportion of my users (greater than 50 percent in
fact).  I believe that this stems from the way digiKam handles album creation
and photo selection at photo download time, and wish to suggest some changes
that I believe would be both minor, and eliminate these difficulties.

I emailed Gilles with my concerns. He seemed receptive, and suggested I create
a bug report here.

After spending a significant amount of time on training, I believe I have
identified the key points at which users become confused and/or unable to
progress through the import process.

1) Photo selection. Most of my users are unable to tell when a photo has been
selected.  They also do not understand the idea or mechanics of "group
selection" using the keyboard.  

Suggested alternative: Photos should be automatically split into "events",
displayed vertically/sequentially, with a single, large "collage" style icon,
and the date the pictures were taken in plain language next to the image (eg
Thursday, 25th August, 2011 - not 25/08/11).  A large "Import photos from this
event" button should be placed next to each event.

2) Album Creation. Most of my users are unable to understand how or why albums
are created.  When they do see the button to create an album, they accidentally
create it as a sub-album of some other album, as the top level is not selected
by default.  They then usually claim their photos "are missing".

Suggested alternative: Do not allow the creation of sub-albums during the
import process.  When a new album is to be created, prompt for an "Event Name",
and place it alphabetically or chronologically in the main album listing.
Sub-Albums could then be created later, but most users do not have the patience
to organise their photos after import, so removing this step seems prudent.

I hope this information is taken in the spirit intended.  digiKam is definitely
my photo management application of choice, but I feel that feature creep has
perhaps removed some of the focus from ease of use in more recent releases.
Please understand that if I could contribute with code I would do so, but feel
that any code contribution I might make would be harmful to the stability of
your software as my experience with C/C++ is limited.

Thankyou.

Reproducible: Always



Expected Results:  
digiKam becomes easier to use.

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

Gilles Caulier-4
https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=280726


Gilles Caulier <[hidden email]> changed:

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--- Comment #1 from Gilles Caulier <caulier gilles gmail com>  2011-12-18 14:06:34 ---
Malvern,

This file still valid using digiKam 2.4 ?

Gilles Caulier

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

Bugzilla from malv_star@hotmail.com
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https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=280726





--- Comment #2 from Malvern Star <malv_star hotmail com>  2011-12-23 17:03:53 ---
I'm afraid so Gilles.  I have tested with Digikam 2.4.1.  The addition of the
"Download New" button is quite welcome, but the report is still well and truly
valid.  Events are not auto-split (nor is any demarcation shown between them),
photo selection is still non-intuitive and album creation still, by default,
can cause accidental sub-album creation.

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

Pierre Hanser
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https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=280726


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--- Comment #3 from Pierre Hanser <hanser club-internet fr>  2011-12-23 17:13:44 ---
I want to be able to create a sub-album during the import process,
because i mostly store pictures by date and i don't know before importing
which dates i have.

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

Bugzilla from malv_star@hotmail.com
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https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=280726





--- Comment #4 from Malvern Star <malv_star hotmail com>  2011-12-23 18:39:13 ---
Pierre, that's fine, but by default when the user clicks "Create Album",
digiKam creates a *sub-album* as the top level is *not* selected by default,
which it should be.

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

Gilles Caulier-4
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https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=280726





--- Comment #5 from Gilles Caulier <caulier gilles gmail com>  2011-12-23 20:55:05 ---
Note : Since 2.3.0, i introduced a new Camera Import Setup dialog page where
you can set a default DOWNLOAD album somewhere in your collections. You press
download and that all, new items will be copied always at the same place. You
manage it later from album view.

Gilles Caulier

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

Pierre Hanser
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https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=280726





--- Comment #6 from Pierre Hanser <hanser club-internet fr>  2011-12-24 07:19:33 ---
i must say that i have some difficulties to understand which directory is
selected
when you enter the 'import' screen. i was thinking it's random? perhaps the one
which is selected in the album view?

a problem i have since around one month is that when i create a (sub) album in
import,
before it was selected by defaut and now it's no longer the case (the parent
stays
selected). i think when you explicitly create a sub-album that's to use it
immediatly...

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

Gilles Caulier-4
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https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=280726





--- Comment #7 from Gilles Caulier <caulier gilles gmail com>  2011-12-24 09:29:43 ---
Go to setup camera dialog page, there is a section where you can select default
Download album.

If this option is not set, album select dialog is started at download time...

Gilles Caulier

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

Bugzilla from malv_star@hotmail.com
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https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=280726





--- Comment #8 from Malvern Star <malv_star hotmail com>  2011-12-31 15:06:15 ---
Gilles, that option should be set by default if it's going to be useful,
meaning digiKam will need to create some kind of "Unsorted" directory.
However, I still maintain that events should be autosplit based on date, and an
album name prompt displayed for each of them.

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

Gilles Caulier-4
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https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=280726





--- Comment #9 from Gilles Caulier <caulier gilles gmail com>  2011-12-31 16:15:56 ---
>However, I still maintain that events should be autosplit based on date, and an
>album name prompt displayed for each of them.

Just select right album auto creation in imaport windows setting sidebar. I you
use default DOWNLOAD dir option, sub-album date based will be created at
import.

Gilles Caulier

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

Bugzilla from malv_star@hotmail.com
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https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=280726

Malvern Star <[hidden email]> changed:

           What    |Removed                     |Added
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Version|1.8.0                       |2.5.0

--- Comment #10 from Malvern Star <[hidden email]> ---
Gilles, I've updated this bug to 2.5.0 as I am now testing against openSUSE's
upcoming 12.2 release. Let me say that the actual importing process seems much
improved, no longer locking Digikam's main window. Kudos!

I have also played with your "default directory" option in conjunction with
album auto creation. I was going to suggest this be the default but realise
this would probably annoy most users, so I will ask instead... would it be too
much, when creating an album, for the dialogue to simply automatically choose
the highest level directory? This would avoid accidental creation of
sub-albums, and it's such a minor change that would make such a big difference
to workflow.

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

Gilles Caulier-4
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--- Comment #11 from Gilles Caulier <[hidden email]> ---
Islam Wazery is planed to work in-deep on digiKam Import tool, through Google
Summer of Code 2012...
It's not yet official, we need to wait final choice from Google for next
Monday...
If he is retained (as i hope, and as i want), we will work Islam and i on this
report...

Gilles Caulier

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

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--- Comment #12 from Malvern Star <[hidden email]> ---
Sounds good Gilles. Looking forward to it. :)

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

Islam Wazery
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--- Comment #13 from Islam Wazery <[hidden email]> ---
Hi all,
Gilles, it is really my pleasure to work on this :), Malvern I will take all of
the info you supplied into consideration, also I will keep you updated and take
all of your feedback.

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

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--- Comment #14 from Malvern Star <[hidden email]> ---
Much appreciated Islam. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help
during the process. As I said previously, I would offer to contribute code, but
I fear the quality would be very poor.

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

Gilles Caulier-4
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--- Comment #15 from Gilles Caulier <[hidden email]> ---
Malvern,

We will appreciate all checks, tests, report about new implementation, to see
if all new features work fine and if no side effects have been introduced with
new code.

Gilles Caulier

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

Islam Wazery
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--- Comment #16 from Islam Wazery <[hidden email]> ---
Hi Malvern,

It is now confirmed that I will work in the Import Interface in GSoC 2012,
Please check the mockups for the new UX provided in my proposal page
http://community.kde.org/Digikam/GSoC2012/CameraUserInterfaceRevamp and sure
all of your feedback are welcome.

Thanks
Islam Wazery

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

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https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=280726

--- Comment #17 from Malvern Star <[hidden email]> ---
Hi Islam, thanks for the link. The goal outline seems good. I have also looked
at the mockups. I therefore have a couple of notes I hope are helpful:

1) If the import interface is going to switch to preview when a user
double-clicks a photo, make sure that pressing escape takes you out of preview,
and that while in preview mode, the left and right arrows on the keyboard move
you through the photo strip above. Come to think of it, that would be helpful
in the main interface as well... I've always had trouble getting out of preview
mode, and being forced to use the mouse to navigate it is annoying.

2) Make sure you set a sensible default camera path. Typically I would expect
this to be the same as the default album path displayed when the application is
run the first time. That way, when the user selects "To New Album" it will, by
default, be created under their top level album path.

3) If you're going to do video preview, make sure video playback is stable.
Video codecs can still be an issue on Linux - even simple ones like MJPEG
frequently cause crashes. You'll need to handle video playback crashes
gracefully so that they don't crash digiKam and instead merely cease video
playback (without locking the application).

4) If you are going to revamp the geolocation feature, please add an option to
disable the damn thing or detect whether blue-marble is installed so it isn't
listed as a dependency for digiKam.

I hope this feedback is useful to you, and I will do my best to be
communicative during development. Many thanks.

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

Gilles Caulier-4
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Gilles Caulier <[hidden email]> changed:

           What    |Removed                     |Added
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Version|2.5.0                       |3.0.0

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[Bug 280726] Digikam Import Process Needs To Be Streamlined

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--- Comment #18 from Malvern Star <[hidden email]> ---
I notice this report has been updated to digiKam 3.0.0, but haven't noticed any
changes at the link Islam posted above. Have I missed something? Is there any
place I can view the changes and give feedback during the development process?

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