So lets look at our targets again:
- We want to be able to select multiple or single files conveniently
- We dont wan't it to conflict with dragging a file
- We don't want any extra "Select" Modes
- We wouldn't mind having the same functionality working for both Touch and Mouse Devices
- We want to preserve the classic stuff like using Strg + Click for selecting files
- We don't want arbitrary Buttons (or too many Buttons spread all over the Place in general)
What about a Delay?
-Clicking opens the file as usual
-Click and Hold will select the File after a Timeout of 250 ms
-Double-Click! Since its "disabled" in Single-Click Mode it could be used to select files too, that would make more sense than having it open files twice (which makes a really bad impression with the User)
Benefits:
-Clicking any empty Area works like usual
-Strg + Click works as usual
-Dragging multiple files works as usual
-It works on Touch and Mouse Devices
-Advanced Users will automatically adapt the Strg + Click if Click n' Hold takes them too long and a lot of files will have to be selected
-Novice Users will accept a small delay of 250 ms
-We have several ways for the User to discover the functionality (Double-click AND Hold)
-No arbitrary buttons needed
-No checkboxes needed
Emphasizing?
Its self-explanatory, if the User looks for a way to select a File (in case hes doing it the first time), he'll have noticed single-click isn't the way to do it, he'll try double-click (works!) or holding the File (works!), if he starts dragging the File he'll notice it got visually accented by the "Frame" around it after the delay, dropping it back to where he took it from will keep the File selected, dropping it into a white area will deselect it.
Conflict with Dragging a File?
We have a minimum distance for dragging Files anyways. So if that distance is not crossed the File will gracefully fall back to being selected and can be deselected by clicking into the Void or another File like usual.
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Why don't you start at the beginning? Yes, and when you reach the end... Stop.
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