Rick Lecoat said: >I do agree that your argument about the message browser being for >listing messages in *definite* locations has a certain logic to it. But >I am not convinced that it outweighs (for me) the usability factor. By >your argument there is no place in the browser for any sort of 'smart' >folder (which would surely operate in the same way as the recent mail >window, displaying messages from disparate locations according to >specified criteria), and smart folders are something that I would love >to see implemented in PM -- they would do away with many of my recurring >gripes in one fell swoop. Sensible and well implemented graphical interfaces reflects the true nature of the possibilities of the underlying technology. Smart folders that you suggest, and that have been suggested by others including myself in the past, is not in place today as you know. The concept of smart folders may work in PowerMail also for new comers, but in my opinion they should be clearly separate entities in the interface.
Also on *striking* thing seems very unclear in your suggestion. You say that "I want to have both the browser and recent mail windows showing at the same time" and "Constantly having to bring one or the other to the foreground is a bit annoying, and to keep closing one and reopening it would be even more so." Now, exactly how would putting the recent mail window in the browser window accomplish what you're asking for? Just how? HINT: How do you view the content of 2 folders at the same time in the browser today? (answer: You can't. Unless you open a second window.) You'd have to constantly switch between the folders, losing your scroll position in the list (this is what happens today when folder switching) and finally to get something done you'd probably open the RMF (Recent Mail Folder) in its separate window anyway. Compare that to keyboard shortcuts you can use today to move between the browser (Ctrl-Cmd-B) and the recent mail window (Ctrl-Cmd-R). That's both faster and more versatile. Plus you can arrange the windows to have them side by side too. Yes, you can. So, again, where's the gain? What are the benefits of your suggestion? What problem would it solve? >Off the top of my head, I would simply reserve a section of the >folder list for Smart Folders, in between the In/Out Trays and the >'regular' folders. This is not necessarily a good solution, unless the different characteristics of a smart folder are clearly indicated. If the folder doesn't *have to* be in the browser at all times, there's not a loss to optionally have it there, of course. But as a default, it doesn't make much sense. Future incarnations of PowerMail should make more sense, not less. >I'm aware that that is a personal taste thing, but >visual neatness is a hallmark of PM and this would not, IMO, be out of >keeping with that. It should be noted that visual "neatness" and usefulness doesn't automatically go hand in hand. Usefulness can be neat, but does neat imply useful? I certainly don't think so. >The problem for me is one of screen real estate. I want to have both the >browser and recent mail windows showing at the same time Same issue for me. Your solution would steal screen estate from my 200+ folders and move them down out of sight. If smart folders are made possible in the browser many people would add as many smart folders to soon necessitate a smart folder browser of its own. So alternative solutions for placement would be necessary and I'm sure there are better possible solutions, that actually do solve the problem areas you have touched upon. Something your suggestion actually doesn't, as far as I have understood them so far. Nevertheless, I regard your wishes to be important for all of us to identify and understand functionality that PowerMail users feel they need. Unfortunately, because we on this list have a habit to try and solve the problem we talk far too little on what functional end result that we feel we need and why we need that and too much on specific solutions. Can we please try and focus this discussion to something more constructive and leave actual problem solving and design to CTM? Not to say, good ideas couldn't be discussed, but our function ought to be to know what we want to achieve with PowerMail and why we want it. The how, ie the solution to the problems brought forward by us, is CTMs job, not ours. No? Perhaps, instead of getting stuck on the merits of putting window in part A or B, we could zoom out of the problems and try and tell what we'd need PowerMail to do for us? I'm sure that would be very useful for CTM to hear about. I have to think before I post on this myself. PM 5.2.3 Swedish | OS X 10.3.9 | Powerbook G4/400Mhz | 1GB RAM | 30GB HD
