desktop-packages team mailing list archive

[Eric Feliksik <milouny@xxxxxxx>]

Public bug reported:

In ancient 2.x versions, in a directory I could just type the name of a subdir and it would be selected. I could use backspace to correct my typing. If I hit enter, the subdir is opened and I can type a new string to select the subdir's contents. 
This is my desired behavior.

In Nautilus 3.2.1, this doesn't work. The actual behavior is very
confusing and annoying. Image a directory /dir/sub1/sub2 and nautilus
browsing /dir. Actions:

problem 1: Type 'sub1a'. Oops, typo: hit backspace. Nautilus will send
you to / instead of deleting the last char 'a' from the text field.

problem 2: Because backspace doesn't work, I tried using the delete
button in my textfield after selecting the appropriate characters. This
doesn't work either: it even deletes the selected files (so although I
have a blinking cursor in a text-field, the 'delete' key does not act
there. Just like with the backspace)

problem 3: Do it again, in /dir/ now type 'sub1'. Hit enter. Now type
'sub2'. Nothing is selected, because the textfield shows sub1.

Bottom line: Browsing with the keyboard is half-supported, which is arguably worse than not supporting it at all. This half-supported functionality keeps tricking me and it is frustrating. 
The functionality of 2.x was more intuitive. It was not in the way of other users, but it made me efficient and happy.

** Affects: nautilus (Ubuntu)
     Importance: Undecided
         Status: New


** Tags: consistency control keyboard nautilus usability

-- 
You received this bug notification because you are a member of Desktop
Packages, which is subscribed to nautilus in Ubuntu.
https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/899952

Title:
  Nautilus: Browsing filesystem using keyboards is unworkable

Status in “nautilus” package in Ubuntu:
  New

Bug description:
  In ancient 2.x versions, in a directory I could just type the name of a subdir and it would be selected. I could use backspace to correct my typing. If I hit enter, the subdir is opened and I can type a new string to select the subdir's contents. 
  This is my desired behavior.

  In Nautilus 3.2.1, this doesn't work. The actual behavior is very
  confusing and annoying. Image a directory /dir/sub1/sub2 and nautilus
  browsing /dir. Actions:

  problem 1: Type 'sub1a'. Oops, typo: hit backspace. Nautilus will send
  you to / instead of deleting the last char 'a' from the text field.

  problem 2: Because backspace doesn't work, I tried using the delete
  button in my textfield after selecting the appropriate characters.
  This doesn't work either: it even deletes the selected files (so
  although I have a blinking cursor in a text-field, the 'delete' key
  does not act there. Just like with the backspace)

  problem 3: Do it again, in /dir/ now type 'sub1'. Hit enter. Now type
  'sub2'. Nothing is selected, because the textfield shows sub1.

  Bottom line: Browsing with the keyboard is half-supported, which is arguably worse than not supporting it at all. This half-supported functionality keeps tricking me and it is frustrating. 
  The functionality of 2.x was more intuitive. It was not in the way of other users, but it made me efficient and happy.

To manage notifications about this bug go to:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/nautilus/+bug/899952/+subscriptions