[MTOS-dev] Looking for Feedback: Template Listing UI

[Jay Allen]

Jim, I couldn't agree more.  Having index templates and archive
templates with the archive mapping/index filename displayed there
makes it more obvious, not less that they are different.  This could
be enhanced with "1 page" vs "many pages" icons.  Having the archive
mapping there on the listing also pulls more information up front
which means a better overview and less clicking.

I think that a lot of people who have voiced objections would quickly
change their mind **IF** a solid and simple method of filtering the
listing (to show or not show a particular type template) was
implemented.

HOWEVER, I do not think that system templates should be listed in this
combined listing unless you have some magic way to display them as
functionally different.  Unlike the other templates, they are not
user-created and have 1-to-1 mappings with system functionality that
cannot be ignored or modified (again, unless you have a magic way of
doing this).

Jay

On Tue, Feb 26, 2008 at 11:02 AM, Jim Ramsey <jramsey at sixapart.com> wrote:
> On Feb 26, 2008, at 8:02 AM, Mark Carey wrote:
>  > Ian made a valid point earlier in this discussion -- MT needs more
>  > simplicity -- true enough.  I don't see how merging templates into one
>  > big list achieves this.  It seems to be more complicated.
>
>  I agree that MT needs more simplicity, but "less things on the page" !
>  = "simplicity"
>
>  I think the reason for doing this is that the distinctions between
>  Index, Archive and System templates are better emphasized when
>  they're listed together than when they're listed on separate pages.
>  I'd argue that those terms -- "index," "archive" and "system" -- are
>  meaningless to new users and the distinctions are clarified when they
>  can see them listed together.
>
>
>  > And while sorting by a "type" column is better than a strictly
>  > alpha-sorted list, it seems like a bit of a hack, rather than a real
>  > solution to improve the interface.
>
>  I don't really think sorting is a hack. I assume you mean that we're
>  lucky that the order turns out to be "archive, index, system."
>  Perhaps, but the groups will be completely intuitive because you'll
>  see at a glance that all the templates that say "archive" are all
>  grouped together and the ones that say "index" are all grouped
>  together, etc
>
>
>  > As advanced user, I don't see much benefit to this layout either.  If
>  > I could quick and easier move between each of the listings screens,
>  > that would be enough.
>
>  I really think it's more efficient to see them all together and then
>  filter by type. It's the same number of clicks and you're likely to
>  be able to find the one you want without filtering.
>
>  jim
>
>
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