Re: [libreoffice-design] Re: Proposal for the "Cross-Reference" dialog

Hi Björn! :)


On 24-01-2011 14:26, Björn Balazs wrote:
> My appologies for not stronger pointing to this being a thread. But I think
> this:
> [...]
> is not a waste of time, because you had the time to get to know this dialogue
> much better and hey - we need to iterate towards a good solution anyhow.
Yeah, you're totally right! :D

> So how can this dialogue be improved?
>
> I think the approach of a tabbed interface is wrong in the first place. Why?
>
> What do user do in here? They want to INSERT a field / variable etc. or
> CONFIGURE the set field.
I would include that user can insert Databases to document. Perhaps this 
should not be here... :)

> What will user NOT do in here? User do not want to change a set field to
> something totally different in this dialogue. If they want to do so, they can
> simply delete the set field and add a new one.
For sure! ;) Great point!

> What is the conclusion? 1. We need to make it as easy as possible to find the
> right field for the user.  2. We need to make it as easy as possible to
> configure the set field (e.g. update the date in a fixed date field).
Yeah, and it includes make it easier to user search and finds an 
existent reference (or another field), like Cedric initially had 
pointed, because could be many of them in a big document.

> How can we achieve this?
> 1. We need a wizard, that really helps the user to find the field he needs.
> This is basically the content included in the tabs and in the "Type" column.
> Also some content of the "Select" column would be of relevance (e.g. the
> Select column for Type==Sender or Type==Statistics should rather be included
> in the wizard, while the Select Column of Type==Date or Type==Author would
> rather be part of step 2.
I got it. It means these fields that have 3 steps to complete (Sender, 
Statistics) could be complete by 2 steps. Great! :) Although, it's 
important find a way to don't bloat  the first step and make it clear.

> 2. For each Field the user can insert we need a specialized dialogue that
> allows to intuitively configure the content of the field. Perhaps we need to
> allow some interaction like: remove the field and start the wizard again to
> insert a new field without loosing relevant formating options - but I am not
> sure about that.
>
> So, Paulo - and anyone else interested:
>
> I guess we should start with step 1. How should a wizard look like that allows
> the user to comfortabely select the wanted field? This wizard should be
> capable to add any new functionality that can possible make it into LibO at
> any time. It should be informative, so the user knows wether he has found the
> right field and it could make suggestions about any related field, the user
> might be searching for.
Yeah, by informative I think it could present some short, friendly and 
objective text about the possibilities of this dialog. Would be great 
allow to user preview the result, to make sure he gets what he wants 
before complete the wizard. If the user make any step wrong or changes 
its mind, should be easy change any step of wizard, no need to start all 
steps again.

I'm thinking about a wizard gradually filling with options the dialog, 
and emphasizing the current step. Under all, a preview box showing the 
result. Each step could present some informations and along the process, 
they could be changed to better helps the user. Will be great if the 
user can't need to use Help to complete this wizard, and I totally agree 
with you about it should be intuitive, above all.

> Once we have a solution for this, we can then make our way through the
> individual dialogues needed to present the different kind of fields (2.).
>
> What do you think? Please provide mocks that we can discuss!
Alright, I will try to work on some mock-ups and then show them to 
community discuss. :D Björn, you really gave great suggestions and made 
a good summary of what we should do. Thank you! :D

Best,
~Paulo

--
Paulo José O. Amaro
Computer Science Student
Federal University of São João del-Rei
WebDesigner / Linked Empresa Júnior
Blogger / casatwain.com

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