Re: [dev] File | Open draft specification

[Caio Tiago Oliveira]

Allen Pulsifer, 13-02-2007 14:44:

I was asked to propose a spec for File | Open, more specifically, for how it
handles file types.

The first draft is at
http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/File_Chooser_Type_Handling_Specific
ation


Since it's highly requested, it's good to discuss. Thank you for the draft.


Some of the changes from OOo's current behavior:

- The default file type depends on the current application.  For example,
from Writer, File | Open by default displays only Text documents.  The other
types, including All Files (*.*) can still be chosen from the File Type
drop down list.

Ref: http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/show_bug.cgi?id=67163


There are strong arguments against it. It would be hard for the user to 
open a text document while working with a spreadsheet, for instance. Off 
course this would be valid to be added as a user preference (not enabled 
by default).


Another idea would to use a checkbox or another thing to make easier to 
select only files of that app. I.e., it could be easier (more visible) 
to select to only list formula documents while working with formulas 
(although the default still to list all documents).


To hide well known unsupported file types by default could be a option 
(such as PDF).



- If an type group such as Spreadsheets is chosen, OOo will either open
the file in Calc or will fail.  It will not for example open a file as a
Text document when Spreadsheets is selected.

Ref: http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/show_bug.cgi?id=74277


It shouldn't fail... it should open the dialog of CSV import.
The current behaviour is bad.
If you select Text CSV it will import to spreadsheet, if you select 
Spreadsheet it should do the same, right now it opens as text (as of 
OOF680_m7).



- When attempting to open files in an unsupported format, such as PDF, OOo
will not try to open them as Text documents.

Ref: http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/show_bug.cgi?id=74295



I'm advocate to this.


Please post comments here or at the Wiki talk page.



Maybe you should discuss details with the people at 
http://ux.openoffice.org.


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RE: [dev] File | Open draft specification

[Allen Pulsifer]

Hello Ciao,

Thank you for your comments.

With regard to this specific point:

  - The default file type depends on the current application.  For 
  example, from Writer, File | Open by default displays only Text 
  documents.  The other types, including All Files (*.*) can 
 still be 
  chosen from the File Type drop down list.
  
  Ref: http://qa.openoffice.org/issues/show_bug.cgi?id=67163
 
 There are strong arguments against it. It would be hard for 
 the user to 
 open a text document while working with a spreadsheet, for 
 instance.

Actually, it would be very easy to open a text document when working with a
spreadsheet.  Select File | Open.  The File Chooser dialog will appear.  For
File Type, select either Text documents or All Files (*.*).  Locate
the text document you want to open and click Open.  That's it.

This is just one more step than the current workflow (you have to explicitly
select the File Type), but it corresponds better with the expectations of
new users.

I don't think it is worth the complexity to make this configurable, but if
others believe it is, then I would not oppose it.

Thanks,

Allen

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