H!
Maybe I'm dumb, but it took me quite a while to figure out that you need to copy a a template from File Templates and then go edit it in Database Templates. Wouldn't it be more understandable to place them in a single list just like in the Extensions manager? Putting menu templates on two different pages leads to confusion for unprepared users. Doesn't CMSMadeSimiple claim to be the smiplest? Or not any more?
Menu manager: Usability issues
Re: Menu manager: Usability issues
i'm not sure exactly what the motivation here was, perhaps wishy can shed some light on it
but i think it's so the default ones don't get screwed up and always having *working* defaults to fall back on.
but i think it's so the default ones don't get screwed up and always having *working* defaults to fall back on.
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4,930,000,000 (n); 1. a very large number, 2. the approximate world population in 1986 when Microsoft Corp issued its IPO. 3. Microsoft's net profit (USD) for the quarter (3 months) ending 31 March 2007.
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katon
Re: Menu manager: Usability issues
I suppose the idea was to allow several copies of one menu in the system. But I don't believe this couldn't be arranged more intuitively into one table.
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katon
Re: Menu manager: Usability issues
Just imagine you have a list of the File Templates (I would call tem built-in templates) pretty much like you do now. Each one is marked as built-in and has a copy icon. Then if you import a template into the database, it actually appends a new item to the list, but it's marked as 'custom' and the copy icon is replaced with the 'edit' icon.
Plus it would be very helpful to have a tip message somewhere at the top of the page saying that you can use bult-in templates as is, or create custom copies that you can edit.
Plus it would be very helpful to have a tip message somewhere at the top of the page saying that you can use bult-in templates as is, or create custom copies that you can edit.
Re: Menu manager: Usability issues
It needs some documentation... as does everything else.
The issue mainly is that you don't have permissions to modify the file templates. Since there are no permissions issues with the database, we just modify those instead. I guess you could have it in one list, but that would make it more confusing if you ask me. "How come I can only edit certain templates?"
Remember, menu manager is an itch scratcher. Most people aren't going to use it as it's intended. It's meant for the above average user who isn't happy with the given menu templates.
The issue mainly is that you don't have permissions to modify the file templates. Since there are no permissions issues with the database, we just modify those instead. I guess you could have it in one list, but that would make it more confusing if you ask me. "How come I can only edit certain templates?"
Remember, menu manager is an itch scratcher. Most people aren't going to use it as it's intended. It's meant for the above average user who isn't happy with the given menu templates.
Re: Menu manager: Usability issues
It does not belong here but I was wondering if a switch / checkbox for "expert options" might make sense. You could put it somewhere in User Preferences and disable it by default. You could hide certain things with it, like template files. Advanced users can turn it on and use the full power of CMSMS. I was thinking of this before because it comes in handy while CMSMS keeps evolving. It won't stay the same but it should always be as simple as possible for most users.
Regards,
Nils
Regards,
Nils
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katon
Re: Menu manager: Usability issues
Nils, I totally agree with you, because the way it is now urges people to start playing with menu templates first place. And then comes a myriad of 'howto' questions, only becuase people have been initially misleaded.
