Just a few things I'd like to see to make DAMP even better:
Create From a ui perspective, it's pretty horrible that I have to choose, from a dropdown, what type of file I'm going to upload. Also I need to be switching context when I select "Folder" as that has nothing to do with uploading a file. Creating a file like this is also too many steps, all I want to do, as an editor, is upload a file and use it in my content.
I propose that the dropdown should be set to "Image" by default (or make the default configurable). Also, create an extra button to make a new folder instead of showing that as an option in the dropdown.
When I open up a folder, I can click on a filename, but I get an error saying that I shouldn't click on filenames. Just don't show the files if I'm not allowed to click on them.
Choose When I click on a folder and have limited the file types that I'm allowed to create/choose, I get an error saying that I can only choose jpg files. Then why am I allowed to click on anything else? Just disable the "select" button or give me the error when I click on the select button.
When I click on a folder, like in most other UI's, I expect to see the contents of the folder on the right side, now it's just a generic icon, why not a list of files in that folder? By listing the files (especially images, and their thumbnails) I can get a quick overview of what files I can choose from and don't have to click each individual file to see the thumbnail.
When I click a file in the overview, just assume that I want to select that file and close the choose window, there is no need for an extra click on "select".
Thanks for the hard work on this current version and I hope this helps you create and even better next version!
Thanks for the feedback! I'll see if I can make some changes for the next version. Unfortuanlty I'll be busy for a while so I don't have time to work on it. I'm trying to release the source code on friday and than I'll also open the project for collaboration so if you're interested you could help :).
Cool, any chance you could send me a zip of the code today (sebastiaan [at..] cultiv.nl) so I can do a few hacks? I'm working on a proof of concept until today which would be better if I could have a bit better DAMP by the end of the day already!
In addition with the point at the bottom, if you try and upload a media item it then throws the error 'you need to select the folder'.
I'm guessing this is because you assuming people only use the default mediatypes of Folder, Image, etc... however a folder is really anything that allows a child node to be created.
Thanks for the feedback! You're right about selecting a folder. It does an ajax post to get the media type and if it's not of the folder media type you'll get the popup. This should actually check if child nodes are allowed and if the selected media type is of the allowed child node type. As I've already stated above I'm busy for now, but you can get the source code here if you want to change it yourself: http://damp.codeplex.com/SourceControl/list/changesets. The project is also open for collaboration so you could help if you're interessted.
I've not worked on UI changes yet, just created the ability to get an overview of all of the pictures in a folder when the folder is clicked. Also trying to make a default dropdown selection in the upload screen configurable (an option in the macro), but that is currently low priority. I'll try to commit the overview screen somewhere this week.
Making it friendlier
Just a few things I'd like to see to make DAMP even better:
Create
From a ui perspective, it's pretty horrible that I have to choose, from a dropdown, what type of file I'm going to upload. Also I need to be switching context when I select "Folder" as that has nothing to do with uploading a file. Creating a file like this is also too many steps, all I want to do, as an editor, is upload a file and use it in my content.
I propose that the dropdown should be set to "Image" by default (or make the default configurable). Also, create an extra button to make a new folder instead of showing that as an option in the dropdown.
When I open up a folder, I can click on a filename, but I get an error saying that I shouldn't click on filenames. Just don't show the files if I'm not allowed to click on them.
Choose
When I click on a folder and have limited the file types that I'm allowed to create/choose, I get an error saying that I can only choose jpg files. Then why am I allowed to click on anything else? Just disable the "select" button or give me the error when I click on the select button.
When I click on a folder, like in most other UI's, I expect to see the contents of the folder on the right side, now it's just a generic icon, why not a list of files in that folder? By listing the files (especially images, and their thumbnails) I can get a quick overview of what files I can choose from and don't have to click each individual file to see the thumbnail.
When I click a file in the overview, just assume that I want to select that file and close the choose window, there is no need for an extra click on "select".
Thanks for the hard work on this current version and I hope this helps you create and even better next version!
Hi Sebastiaan,
Thanks for the feedback! I'll see if I can make some changes for the next version. Unfortuanlty I'll be busy for a while so I don't have time to work on it. I'm trying to release the source code on friday and than I'll also open the project for collaboration so if you're interested you could help :).
Jeroen
Cool, any chance you could send me a zip of the code today (sebastiaan [at..] cultiv.nl) so I can do a few hacks? I'm working on a proof of concept until today which would be better if I could have a bit better DAMP by the end of the day already!
Hi Jeroen,
Following on from Sebastiaan's post, it would be good to improve the UI a little. Would something such as the below work?
On a seperate note, I also get this odd dialogue when I select a folder...
In addition with the point at the bottom, if you try and upload a media item it then throws the error 'you need to select the folder'.
I'm guessing this is because you assuming people only use the default mediatypes of Folder, Image, etc... however a folder is really anything that allows a child node to be created.
/Laurie (:
Hi Laurie,
Thanks for the feedback! You're right about selecting a folder. It does an ajax post to get the media type and if it's not of the folder media type you'll get the popup. This should actually check if child nodes are allowed and if the selected media type is of the allowed child node type. As I've already stated above I'm busy for now, but you can get the source code here if you want to change it yourself: http://damp.codeplex.com/SourceControl/list/changesets. The project is also open for collaboration so you could help if you're interessted.
Jeroen
Sweet! Yep I'd be up collaboration!
Should have a little time next week (:
Laurie
Ok cool :). Get in touch with me on the project page or give me your our umbraco e-mail so I can add you to the project.
What's your codeplex name so I can add you there as well.
Sebastian is also working on some updates. Maybe ask him first what he's working on before you start yourself.
Jeroen
I've not worked on UI changes yet, just created the ability to get an overview of all of the pictures in a folder when the folder is clicked. Also trying to make a default dropdown selection in the upload screen configurable (an option in the macro), but that is currently low priority. I'll try to commit the overview screen somewhere this week.
I've release DAMP 2.0 in which most of the feedback is added.
Jeroen
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