Re: [Ayatana] Default to single click to open files and folders

[Shane Fagan <shanepatrickfagan@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey all,
I completely missed this thread so sorry if im going over anything
someone else said. I like the idea of switching from double click but
we'll have to handle when people double click so we dont open multiple
instances when people expect the previous behaviour. Other than that id
agree with switching. Double clicking has no real benefits to users. 

-fagan

On Thu, 2010-05-13 at 09:39 +1000, Luke Morton wrote:
> I like this idea. Double-clicking is an unnecessary gesture since we
> have multiple buttons (or "Simulated Secondary Click" in the
> Accessibilty tab of the Mouse Preferences). It confuses novice users and
> is an accessibility issue for motor impaired users.
> 
> Both these sets of users would benefit from a default single-click
> approach, and any user that's had enough exposure to have developed a
> double-clicking habit should be able to revert the behaviour--provided
> we make the preference easily discoverable by putting it somewhere
> logical like in the Mouse Preferences. Unfortunately, this assumption
> doesn't seem to be supported by evidence:
> http://www.viralata.net/kde_usability/001_02.html (search for "double")
> 
> > To implement single clicks solves no problem and creates a whole list
> > of new ones.
> 
> Single click to activate is already implemented (except in the
> GtkFileChooser). As for the problem:
> 
> Ronald is 79 and his health is deteriorating. Most recently he's started
> to lose his fine motor skills. This has become a particular problem for
> him when using his computer. He has trouble opening files and
> folders--sometimes his clicks are too slow, other times his hands shake
> and the second click misses its target.
> 
> The problem of confusion has been mitigated to some extent by designing
> around unwanted double-clicks. For example, launchers in the panel will
> respond to a double click as a single click to avoid opening two
> application instances. Nevertheless, the fact that workarounds like this
> exist is evidence of a problem.
> 
> >         > You are completely right, there is a semantic difference.
> >         But I wonder
> >         > if (have hard times believing) that this is recognizable by
> >         or even
> >         > relevant to users.
> 
> The semantic difference is artificial. It's part of the model many
> experienced users construct to be able to determine which operation to
> apply in a given context. It's not inherent, and novice users or users
> who haven't developed such a model typically struggle with
> double-clicking. (That is, when to double-click and when not to.)
> 
> >         In my opinion, this is recognizable whenever the user does to
> >         files
> >         or folders something he does not do to launchers, like
> >         deleting or
> >         dragging. I personally believe your points are valid in a
> >         context
> >         where non-opening actions are very, very rare, and I don't
> >         think
> >         this is the case. People rename and delete things all the
> >         time.
> 
> It's not universally recognised:
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double-click (search for "difficulties")
> http://www.useit.com/alertbox/9710b.html (search for "double-click")
> http://www.asktog.com/Bughouse/bhPandemic.html (search for "double")
> 
> >         > > Plus, single-click for opening would make dragging less
> >         intuitive.
> >         > > Firefox allows dragging of hyperlinked things, but I
> >         always hesitate
> >         > > before dragging an hyperlinked element, wondering if I'll
> >         be able
> >         > > to drag it without activating the link.
> 
> I don't know that it makes it less intuitive, but it does change the
> interaction process slightly.
> 
> >         It's not like it *can't* be handled. For better or for worse,
> >         Firefox does it. But I think it would hurt discoverability
> >         of dragging.> Ok, don’t know how that would be handled, valid
> >         and very good point.
> 
> Why? How is selecting an item first, then initiating a drag more
> discoverable that simply dragging it? To my mind they're both as hard to
> discover as each other.
> 
> >         > Valid and true as well; but same thing as above, especially:
> >         > »launchers […] are buttons […] do some
> >         > > action, whereas icons represent […] "physical" objects.«
> >         > Launchers are icons, that is the problem. Do users see a
> >         difference?
> >         > Has it come up in usability tests?
> 
> It has, and I presume that's why the option exists in Nautilus.
> 
> As a final thing to consider: if no-one ever told you to double-click,
> how would you know to do so?
> 
> Luke.
> 
> 
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