Here are a few enhancements suggestions. These are humble, and most of them might already be in the radar. This is based on my own feedback and usage, not true unbiaised User Tests.
I have tried to list only things that are not yet in the backlog, but I may have missed some things. Also I guess some of these are already spotted and somehow planned or thought.
Feel free to trash this ticket, or split it, or ask me to split it, as I am not sure of the process here.
Show/hide left side panel
For now, a user can only resize, but this is limited to a max and min width.
It would be nice to add a button or widget to view and hide that side bar.
I guess most online file browsers/managers offer that possibility, so it may be expected by users.
Main list/view
Screen estate optimisation
There are fixed_width voids/padding which are too large on left and right of the file list.
There are lots of large screens, ranging from 13 to 17 and more, so this void may be way too large.
I guess it would help information density to reduce these voids to the strict fixed minimum respecting the Design System. I believe maximising that table width is the way to go, following the window width.
Compare the minimum-sized vs maximum-sized left panel, with a 13 inches screen:
Show and hide columns
We have these current columns:
- Name
- Age of latest edit
- Created
- Dots (actions)
This is the bareminimum, and thus it is great for simplicity.
As a new feature, please allow users to select the columns they want to show and hide.
Example UX/UI screenshots attached.
Infomaniak's kDrive:
Gnome File Manager:
New columns
I suggest we add these columns:
- File size: in human-readable format
- Type: file type
I very much need those, as it is the case for lots of people.
Optional new columns
We could also add these columns options (show/hide):
- Versions (under development)
- Category
- Label
- Tag
- Icon
- Color
Add (move) actions to columns
In the dots submenu, we have:
- Favorite/star
- Share
- Download
- Rename
- Move
I suggest we move some of the most used actions to an butotn/icon in the list in a new/dedicated column.
Column: Created
I suggest this change:
The Created content is the full name and thus takes a lot of horizontal space: show icon/avatar instead, with hover showing full name bubble.
Column: Shared/sharing
As shares are critical to collaboration, show them by default, in their own dedicated column :
- not shared: the classical share button/action
- shared with accounts/users: horzontally stacked list of icons/avatars
- public: earth/world emoji
- connected/authenticated: lock
Should not be placed after the last character of the file/folder name, but always in the same horizontal spot, in its own dedicated column. This sharing information is so important it is always expected in the same place and format.
Folders view/navigation
On folder icons, add a fold and unfold widget that shows and the files and folders inside. Recursive behavior.
For now, opening folders is only available left side bar navigation but only if the folder is favorited. It will be useful for people in the main view.
Icon/text consistency
For Import and New folder, on the top right: either show only icons, or only text, or both, or a user config option.
Grid view
Some users might prefer grid views, in addition to list views.
For some use cases, like images folders, it may be easier to navigate with grid view with thumbnails/previews.
Visual summary
Sorry for the poor quality... 🤪
Screenshots
Publicly shared folder on La Suite
Here are a few enhancements suggestions. These are humble, and most of them might already be in the radar. This is based on my own feedback and usage, not true unbiaised User Tests.
I have tried to list only things that are not yet in the backlog, but I may have missed some things. Also I guess some of these are already spotted and somehow planned or thought.
Feel free to trash this ticket, or split it, or ask me to split it, as I am not sure of the process here.
Show/hide left side panel
For now, a user can only resize, but this is limited to a max and min width.
It would be nice to add a button or widget to view and hide that side bar.
I guess most online file browsers/managers offer that possibility, so it may be expected by users.
Main list/view
Screen estate optimisation
There are fixed_width voids/padding which are too large on left and right of the file list.
There are lots of large screens, ranging from 13 to 17 and more, so this void may be way too large.
I guess it would help information density to reduce these voids to the strict fixed minimum respecting the Design System. I believe maximising that table width is the way to go, following the window width.
Compare the minimum-sized vs maximum-sized left panel, with a 13 inches screen:
Show and hide columns
We have these current columns:
This is the bareminimum, and thus it is great for simplicity.
As a new feature, please allow users to select the columns they want to show and hide.
Example UX/UI screenshots attached.
Infomaniak's kDrive:
Gnome File Manager:
New columns
I suggest we add these columns:
I very much need those, as it is the case for lots of people.
Optional new columns
We could also add these columns options (show/hide):
Add (move) actions to columns
In the dots submenu, we have:
I suggest we move some of the most used actions to an butotn/icon in the list in a new/dedicated column.
Column: Created
I suggest this change:
The Created content is the full name and thus takes a lot of horizontal space: show icon/avatar instead, with hover showing full name bubble.
Column: Shared/sharing
As shares are critical to collaboration, show them by default, in their own dedicated column :
Should not be placed after the last character of the file/folder name, but always in the same horizontal spot, in its own dedicated column. This sharing information is so important it is always expected in the same place and format.
Folders view/navigation
On folder icons, add a fold and unfold widget that shows and the files and folders inside. Recursive behavior.
For now, opening folders is only available left side bar navigation but only if the folder is favorited. It will be useful for people in the main view.
Icon/text consistency
For Import and New folder, on the top right: either show only icons, or only text, or both, or a user config option.
Grid view
Some users might prefer grid views, in addition to list views.
For some use cases, like images folders, it may be easier to navigate with grid view with thumbnails/previews.
Visual summary
Sorry for the poor quality... 🤪
Screenshots
Publicly shared folder on La Suite