File Inclusion/Exclusion

[helmut]

Some option pages have an explanation at the top. Why not add a short note to make things clear.
E.g.:
"Below please check all groups which you want to see in XnView. If you want a specific file type not to be shown, simply add its extension in field 'Custom' and uncheck the appropriate checkboxes for 'Custom' group".

Think this would make the above draft #H02 clear.

#H02 (same as some posts above)

[xnview]

"Below please check all groups which you want to see in XnView. If you want a specific file type not to be shown, simply add its extension in field 'Custom' and uncheck the appropriate checkboxes for 'Custom' group".

It's not easy to understand! By default all files are shown, so correct behaviour will be to check a 'Exlude'.

[xnview]

I understand this 3 column design better:
<thumbnail mode> <list, icons, & details mode> <preview>
Images [x] [x] [x]
.
Hide parent folder ('..') [x] [x] -
.
Files larger than (Kb) [____] - [___]
.
Exclude* [x] [x] [x]
*Exclude [______]

This is what I've been talking about in my previous post: In top list you check something to include it, and in the bottom to exclude it.

Yes, but what is the problem? It's easy to understand, no?

[Olivier_G]

I wasn't closely following this thread, and the first time I saw this image:

I thought: "Oh great: you can check/uncheck what is handled by XnView".
You see: I didn't read the text 'Filter' in the tree nor in the title...

But keep in mind that it is an expected behaviour:
- we skip explanations and tend to get a first 'impression' immediately
- we tend to think in positive/add (especially with checkboxes: kind of mean "DO/DONE" usually), rather than 'filters'

So this panel should be about "Behaviour" and not be considered as a filter.

HOWEVER, in the text fields where I have to type something... I have to actually *think* before entering anything, and will look at the explanation.
=> you can add Exclusions through a custom text field.

Just my opinion...

Olivier

[marsh]

But keep in mind that it is an expected behaviour:
- we skip explanations and tend to get a first 'impression' immediately
- we tend to think in positive/add (especially with checkboxes: kind of mean "DO/DONE" usually), rather than 'filters'

So this panel should be about "Behaviour" and not be considered as a filter.

Absolutely. And a dual function box was proposed (include and exclude). These should belong in seperate boxes for added versatility and ease of use. But, it is not clear yet why 'include' would even be needed!

[helmut]

#H04 I've designed a small sample screen for the application "Zoo 2.1":


- In Zoo 'Bratislava' there are Mammals, Reptiles, and Birds.
- Zoo 'Reims' are all animals except 'Birds'. And there will be parrots.
- Zoo 'Frankfurt' are all animals except sharks, tortoises, and parrots

From my point of view it's pretty obvious how to control the zoos and their inhabitants. And pretty flexible, too.

Needless to say that the animals are our file types and the group of animals are group of file types (images, videos, ...).

Some things concluded from above:
- Checked checkboxes should have the meaning 'Shown, Used, ...' (as Olivier has written above).
- Any of the groups listed (Mammals, Custom, ...) can be used for including or excluding.
- The group 'Custom' is just for having a fine tuned, user-defined group of animals. As all the other groups it can be used for including or excluding specific animals.

[xnview]

#H04 I've designed a small sample screen for the application "Zoo 2.1":

- In Zoo 'Bratislava' there are Mammals, Reptiles, and Birds.
- Zoo 'Reims' are all animals except 'Birds'. And there will be parrots.
- Zoo 'Frankfurt' are all animals except sharks, tortoises, and parrots

From my point of view it's pretty obvious how to control the zoos and their inhabitants. And pretty flexible, too.

Needless to say that the animals are our file types and the group of animals are group of file types (images, videos, ...).

Some notes:
- Checked checkboxes should have the meaning 'Shown, Used, ...' (as Olivier has written above).
- Any of the groups listed (Mammals, Custom, ...) could be used for including or excluding files.
- The group 'Custom' is just for having a fine tuned, user-defined group of animals. As all the other groups it can be used for including or excluding specific animals.

Yes, checking Custom will be never used, It's not necessary... Here we have group for movie, audio. But the need is an exclude extension list.
Custom as include extension disturbs me really

[helmut]

...
Yes, checking Custom will be never used, It's not necessary...

No, that's wrong.
An example:
You could uncheck all checkboxes for group "All other files" and then check checkboxes of group "Custom". This way you will not show files in XnView, except the ones defined in "Custom" or other groups (given that these are checked).
Again: Custom is for defining a user-defined group and can be used for including or excluding.

[xnview]

No. You could uncheck "All other files" and then check "Custom". This way you will not show files in XnView, except some defined in Custom.

Hum 1 point to Helmut
But
Why i want to add Custom (as exclude list) is request from many users to exclude PDF/PS/EPS files.
So they must type PDF/PS/EPS in custom editbox, and uncheck custom.
Very strange!

[helmut]

No. You could uncheck "All other files" and then check "Custom". This way you will not show files in XnView, except some defined in Custom.

Hum 1 point to Helmut

Tough game, here. I better start playing rugby, that's easier.

But
Why i want to add Custom (as exclude list) is request from many users to exclude PDF/PS/EPS files.
So they must type PDF/PS/EPS in custom editbox, and uncheck custom.
Very strange!

Right, that's some steps, but it's logical. It's even explained at the top of the dialog

For PDF, EPS, PS we don't have a group, anyway. So why not put these into "Custom" by default? Then the users will have to uncheck just two checkboxes of group custom for excluding these file types.

[marsh]

Include list suggestion here could better be accomplished by user defined file lists at a seperate location.
I see (B)-type lists would be useful to show custom text files (.tx_ .bak .bat). But, how to open with associated program and also preview with Xnview? It would be too complex for a primary menu.

[Dreamer]

What about this:

[v] = include
[x] = exclude

[helmut]

Include list suggestion here could better be accomplished by user defined file lists at a seperate location.

I don't understand, could you precise a bit?

I see (B)-type lists would be useful to show custom text files (.tx_ .bak .bat). But, how to open with associated program and also preview with Xnview? It would be too complex for a primary menu.

As written above "Open action" (which is discussed in topic "Open all non image files in associated program") that you reference is related to this discussion. But "Open action" is the action when double-clicking and opening a file and is disjunct to the above settings for Preview and Thumbnail. Let's finish discussion without "Open action", first, and then see whether it can be combined with the options discussed, here.

[helmut]

What about this:

[v] = include
[x] = exclude

Do you mean introducing a checkbox with a special graphic for the state "checked"/"unchecked"? I think XnView should work with the known controls (checkboxes, radio buttons, ...) and not introduce new controls.

(In old Windows versions the checkbox was checked with a cross, not with a hook, so this might become very confusing.)

[helmut]

#H05 Transfering the 'Zoo' example back to our 'world', the dialog could look like this:



I've named the category "File Handling", the term "File List" does not cover the columns "Thumbnail" and "Preview", I think.

What is still a bit unclear in the above draft is whether a checkbox has to be checked or not to include a file. Perhaps the text at the top could be clearer, e.g. "Check the file types which you want to see in the browser. ...".