[Usability] Re: [Desktop_architects] Printing dialog and GNOME (Summit mockups)

[Tomasz Janowitz]

Hi.

-> Michael Sweet - very good points!

I would add:
1) The 'current page' option should be there in a print dialog (next to 'all' ?)
2) The same with print to file.
3) Odd/even pages selection should definitely be on print dialog (not in the settings) - it's just to
common option. It should be exposed, so that user can see what actually is going to be printed. I don't
think there is need for "comment" next to this button as it is of now, since the button is rather
self-explanatory. Could also be made narrower.
4) Maybe the landscape/portrait selection could also be on this dialog (possibly only with check box -
while this may sacrifice some easy of use, the result would be still visible in 'page preview' window).

	I know that i propose to cram many things in one window, which probably you would like to keep simple,
but hiding to many features in 'preferences' and 'advanced' tabs can also be confusing, since i have to
remember the options i set, when i am back in 'print dialog' (not that i have difficulties with it :) ).

Regards.


Michael Sweet wrote:
> Alex Graveley wrote:
> 
>> Hi,
>>
>> Carl Worth wrote:
>>  > PS. These side threads are entertaining, but I do hope we also get
>>  > back to Till's original list and we can all work together on designing
>>  > a good print dialog.
>>
>> To this effect, here are the mockups I made at the Boston GNOME Summit
>> to point out some of the directions I/we were hoping to go with a GTK
>> print dialog.
> 
> 
> Thanks for posting the screenshot!
> 
> This looks like a good start; some (hopefully constructive) comments:
> 
>     1. "Copies" should have the "collate" check box next to it
>        to do collated copies. Putting the collate check box in a
>        separate window far away from the control it modifies is
>        inconsistent and confusing...
> 
>     2. "Pages per sheet" option:
> 
>        a. The "Pages per sheet" terminology is usually called "N-up"
>           among printing professionals, but I personally have no
>           preference and understand both terms equally well...
> 
>        b. Most programs show an graphical representation (icon,
>           whatever) when they support N-up printing.
> 
>        c. CUPS supports 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 16-up printing.  Both CUPS
>           and PAPI expose this as the number-up-supported attribute,
>           so you can easily customize this based on the printing system
>           in use...
> 
>     3. "Orientation" is usually shown graphically...
> 
>     4. The "Settings" button opens a dialog titled "Print Settings".
>        I don't recall if the GNOME HIG requires them to match, but
>        it is nice if they do... :)
> 
>     5. Print settings tabs:
> 
>        a. What we've done in the past is to show a tab for
>           each UI group in the PPD file; see the attached image
>           from the current ESP Print Pro settings dialog.
>           However, some vendors choose to abuse UI groups and
>           put each option in its own group, which makes the
>           UI look bad... :(
> 
>        b. As an alternative, I'd (optionally) add "finishing" and
>           "quality" tabs to the settings dialog.  That is, if the
>           printer supports stapling, then a finishing tab is shown
>           which allows the user to select finishing features for
>           the printer.  Similarly, if the printer supports quality
>           type options (resolution, color model, etc.), then those
>           options can be shown on the quality tab.  Everything not
>           shown on the other tabs is listed under the advanced tab.
>           (manufacturers could set the UI group to Quality and
>            Finishing, respectively, to get specific options listed
>            in those tabs)
> 
> You can also get ideas from the Apple print dialog, but I'm not
> 100% in love with their design...
> 
>> ...
>> I don't think anything here precludes more advanced PPD settings, but
>> I think grouping the most common settings in a simpler, logical layout
>> makes sense.
> 
> 
> Agreed.
> 
> 
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