[digiKam-users] Properties tab: Change fields aligment to improve legibility (usability)

[Rafael Linux]

I'm working with a 24" monitor, with my default font at 120ppi, to make it
readable. I have usually some copies or versions of my photos, that some
software rename to "filename_001.ext", for example. Typically, my filenames
include the date (YYYY-MM-DD) and some name. Nothing unusual, I think, so
the filename could be usually at 25-30 characters. When I'm using Digikam, as
filename doesn't fit below the thumbnail and the "tooltip" is slower, I
always have enabled the "Properties" tab. This way, I change from image to
image using cursor keys while I'm seeing in the properties tab the filename
and the lenses I used to take the photo. However, most of time the text
doesn't fit in the properties dock, when it could fit without needing to
make stretch the dock with a interesting change in the properties tab: To
make all fields to be aligned to left, instead center aligned. The result
will be less aesthetic, but more readable and usable, making a better use of
the properties area IMHO like user.

Even another way could be to replace field legend for icons .... is an idea.

[Gilles Caulier-4]

Hi,

yes, this wish have been already sent in this mailing list in the past.

Please open a new file in digiKam bugzilla, i will take a look before 6.0.0 final release.

Thanks in advance

Gilles Caulier

2018-09-25 13:09 GMT+02:00 Rafael Linux <[hidden email]>:

I'm working with a 24" monitor, with my default font at 120ppi, to make it readable. I have usually some copies or versions of my photos, that some software rename to "filename_001.ext", for example. Typically, my filenames include the date (YYYY-MM-DD) and some name. Nothing unusual, I think, so the filename could be usually at 25-30 characters. When I'm using Digikam, as filename doesn't fit below the thumbnail and the "tooltip" is slower, I always have enabled the "Properties" tab. This way, I change from image to image using cursor keys while I'm seeing in the properties tab the filename and the lenses I used to take the photo. However, most of time the text doesn't fit in the properties dock, when it could fit without needing to make stretch the dock with a interesting change in the properties tab: To make all fields to be aligned to left, instead center aligned. The result will be less aesthetic, but more readable and usable, making a better use of the properties area IMHO like user.

---

Sent from the digikam-users mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

[woenx]

I also found myself struggling to read these fields. I usually hover the
cursor over the field to see the whole filename or path.

In addition to left-aligning the text, the text could jump to the next line
if the path or filename does not fit in just one line.



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[Gilles Caulier-4]

What do you think about this layout ?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/digikam/44908963831/in/dateposted/

Instead to put the info name on the left side and the info value on the right side, both on the same line, i put all info on a dedicated line, centered.

Align all to left is horrible to read. centering lines give the best result. 

To compare, i show dolphin properties left sidebar. The alignment on the same line is the same than current DK, but the value can take more than one line if necessary. It's more optimum than version proposed in my layout. 

Note that alignment of info lines in current code is the same than Dolphin, excepted for the multi-lines support for the values.

Best

Gilles Caulier 

2018-09-25 14:01 GMT+02:00 woenx <[hidden email]>:

I also found myself struggling to read these fields. I usually hover the
cursor over the field to see the whole filename or path.

In addition to left-aligning the text, the text could jump to the next line
if the path or filename does not fit in just one line.



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[woenx]

Not the original poster, but I kinda prefer the current layout (field name
right aligned and value left aligned, all centered). If just multiple lines
were supported, it would be perfect.

Actually, I just realized that on the same properties panel, the "Tags"
field already uses multiple lines.



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[Remco Viëtor]

On mardi 25 septembre 2018 17:01:44 CEST Gilles Caulier wrote:

> What do you think about this layout ?
>
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/digikam/44908963831/in/dateposted/
>
> Instead to put the info name on the left side and the info value on the
> right side, both on the same line, i put all info on a dedicated line,
> centered.
>
> Align all to left is horrible to read. centering lines give the best
> result.
>
> To compare, i show dolphin properties left sidebar. The alignment on the
> same line is the same than current DK, but the value can take more than one
> line if necessary. It's more optimum than version proposed in my layout.
>
> Note that alignment of info lines in current code is the same than Dolphin,
> excepted for the multi-lines support for the values.

And I must say that I prefer, by far, the current situation, with item
captions right aligned and values left aligned. Having the item captions on
their own lines means that you can show only half the items, and that means
(more) scrolling to see all the items.

 You waste a lot of horizontal space as well, since for most items, caption
and value fit comfortably on one line.  

Perhaps allow several lines for the filename and caption fields. Though captions
can be very long, do you really want to see 5-10 lines taken up by one field?

Remco

[digikam-2]

On Tue, 25 Sep 2018 17:01:44 +0200
Gilles Caulier <[hidden email]> wrote:

> What do you think about this layout ?
>
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/digikam/44908963831/in/dateposted/
>
> Instead to put the info name on the left side and the info value on
> the right side, both on the same line, i put all info on a
> dedicated line, centered.

I disagree, I find it more difficult to read and find the information.

My preference would be to keep the current layout and make it
multi-line if the the text doesn't fit. But this would involve a lot
more programming.

and/or

A font size selection for the panel to increase or decrease the
number of characters displayed, just like for the size of thumbnails

Merci

Syv

--
sknahT

vyS

[Gilles Caulier-4]

2018-09-25 17:46 GMT+02:00 <[hidden email]>:

On Tue, 25 Sep 2018 17:01:44 +0200
Gilles Caulier <[hidden email]> wrote:

> What do you think about this layout ?
>
> https://www.flickr.com/photos/digikam/44908963831/in/dateposted/
>
> Instead to put the info name on the left side and the info value on
> the right side, both on the same line, i put all info on a
> dedicated line, centered.

I disagree, I find it more difficult to read and find the information.

My preference would be to keep the current layout and make it
multi-line if the the text doesn't fit. But this would involve a lot
more programming.

Not really. Let's me to try again...

Gilles Caulier

[Rafael Linux]

The idea of change font size will carry accessibility problems, so for me
it's not a choice.
Centered fields is not a bad idea, but changing background to the legend
lines to locate quickly what user is looking for.
To splits text that not fits the width of the panel (I just saw the
Dolphin panel) it's more useful and clear.

However, no one mentioned the possibility to change legend text with icons
... I don't dislike the idea, but I understand it could be a lot
more complicated that any other idea.

P.D.: A question about this mailing list and kde-bugs ... when I should
write in which one?



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[Gilles Caulier-4]

The mailing list is to talk about a topic with end users. See how this topic reactions...

We can talk with end users also in bugzilla, but not all users follow bugzilla threads.

Bugzilla is to register main changes, wishes, bugs, etc... It's more dedicated to talk around technical solutions, especially in source code.

But i want to see all main changes registered in bugzilla, if possible, for QA purpose.

Best

Gilles Caulier

2018-09-25 19:05 GMT+02:00 Rafael Linux <[hidden email]>:

The idea of change font size will carry accessibility problems, so for me
it's not a choice.
Centered fields is not a bad idea, but changing background to the legend
lines to locate quickly what user is looking for.
To splits text that not fits the in the width of the panel (I just saw the
Dolphin panel) it's more useful and clear.

However, no one mentioned the possibility to change legend text with icons
... I don't dislike the idea, but I understand it could be much more a lot
more complicated that any other idea.

P.D.: A question about this mailing list and kde-bugs ... when I should
write in which one?



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[Rafael Linux]

I was wrong then. I thought Bugzilla was the preferred user way to contact
with developers not only for bugs, but for comment possible new features,
changes, etc ... in fact, I discovered this mailing list this year,
accidentally.

So, about this thread, should I create a bugzilla "improve right sidebar
porperties layout"?

Thank you for clarify the difference.



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[Gilles Caulier-4]

Hum, not well. I feel that we need to experiment more mockup before. Wait and see.

Gilles Caulier

2018-09-26 21:21 GMT+02:00 Rafael Linux <[hidden email]>:

I was wrong then. I thought Bugzilla was the preferred user way to contact
with developers not only for bugs, but for comment possible new features,
changes, etc ... in fact, I discovered this mailing list this year,
accidentally.

So, about this thread, should I create a bugzilla "improve right sidebar
porperties layout"?

Thank you for clarify the difference.

--
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