The Layout : irritating details
Posted: 22.03.2009, 13:10
I willl need some more time to be able to have a better judgement on this file manager. The first time I ever used FreeCommander was one year ago. For some time I gave it a try (once in a while) , but sorry to say, I was disappointed with each attempt to use it. With this new version, same feeling again.
To be honnest, I agree to consider he layout very good, but some details are just irritating. However I hope I can change my mind.
The most used knob (one parent folder UP) is what one would expect to see at first glance. Not so, one has to search for it ! Why is it a very tiny icon at the right side on both the address bars ? This is the very first impression and ... it irritates the first time user already. Comparing the "UP-function" used in ZTree there is a big difference !
If you want the parent directory, you have to search the "UP icon" where you don't expect it (moving mouse to the right) and aim with the mouse to an icon which is way too small. If you want it bigger ... use for the option to make icons bigger size (in View menu), every icon becomes bigger ... except the one you would like to become bigger.
I have been using many file managers and each has their pros and cons.
The most common error : authors always want to add more features as actually needed to keep things easy to use.
Too many shortkey functions to do things that nobody will ever use.
There is no need to extend the number of features so far that it becomes too heavy on normal usage. So my advice is to keep things simple and handy.
Shortkeys are only handy when you have a program "in your fingers"
But nobody can remember all shortkeys of dozens of programs. Some old programs used to define a user confidence level (1-2-3) to allow users to work with basic/handy/expert levels, depending on the knowledge of program features.
To be honnest, I agree to consider he layout very good, but some details are just irritating. However I hope I can change my mind.
The most used knob (one parent folder UP) is what one would expect to see at first glance. Not so, one has to search for it ! Why is it a very tiny icon at the right side on both the address bars ? This is the very first impression and ... it irritates the first time user already. Comparing the "UP-function" used in ZTree there is a big difference !
If you want the parent directory, you have to search the "UP icon" where you don't expect it (moving mouse to the right) and aim with the mouse to an icon which is way too small. If you want it bigger ... use for the option to make icons bigger size (in View menu), every icon becomes bigger ... except the one you would like to become bigger.
I have been using many file managers and each has their pros and cons.
The most common error : authors always want to add more features as actually needed to keep things easy to use.
Too many shortkey functions to do things that nobody will ever use.
There is no need to extend the number of features so far that it becomes too heavy on normal usage. So my advice is to keep things simple and handy.
Shortkeys are only handy when you have a program "in your fingers"
But nobody can remember all shortkeys of dozens of programs. Some old programs used to define a user confidence level (1-2-3) to allow users to work with basic/handy/expert levels, depending on the knowledge of program features.