TREE - Inconsistency of operation

rocketman

Hi Support,

When a user single clicks a line in a standard query list the default operation is triggered. When however a user clicks on a node in a tree - nothing happens. It requires a double click to fire the default operation - or - we have to show the operation top of tree, bottom of tree or in the context menu.

Firstly, A double click is a no-no for iPad users (maybe other tablets) because the double click is intercepted to zoom the screen. Also you cannot do a right mouse button gesture with your fingers. Pressing and holding doesn't bring up the context menu

So the only otion is to display the operation button top or bottom of tree.

In the same way that a single click on the + will reveal subnodes, Making each node single clickable to fire the default operation to bring it in line with the rest of the AwareIM system would be a superb enhancement, and bring into play a lot of iPad users

nlarson

Semi-related, and perhaps worth mentioning that the same is true for custom presentations in a query.

IMHO - Double click is a no-no in any web app for anything, but inline editing (which is not a true double click, since first click highlights it, second opens it. ) as it is non-standard.

aware_support

This is because unlike query results a single click is needed for the selection of the node (both for trees and custom queries).

So a double click is just an extra way of invoking the functionality where single click is unavailable. For iPads you have to resort to pressing the button at the top/bottom.

If you have better suggestions they are welcome.

rocketman

Sorry Support, don't understand your reasoning here. As NLarson said, nowhere on the web is a double click used, and we have to conform to what the users expect (even demand)

In a standard query results list, the single click must surely be selecting the node AND firing the default operation, else how would the operation know which of the query results to work with.

The node of a tree is no different. We don't ever click the node of a tree just to see it change colour. It's normal that we actually want the click to do something like show us the main invoice record, or the stock detail, or the content of the relevant section of an online user manual So the default behaviour should be select the node AND trigger the default operation.

GaryBartlett

Is there more to it than binding the treeview component on-click event rather than the on-double-click event, under the hood somewhere?

aware_support

We cannot use a single click to invoke an operation for trees and custom data view. If a user wants to invoke an operation they have to click(tap) to select and then click (tap) a button. That's it. Double-click is just a red herring and can be removed altogether if it makes users unhappy.

GaryBartlett

Thanks for clarifying, Support.

How difficult would it be for you to introduce single-click functionality on treeviews to both (a) select a (data driven) node and (b) invoke an associated operation (optionally, if there is some reason to preserve the separation of selection and operation)?

This is not an arbitrary issue for me. It's essential for all of the apps I'm starting to migrate to Aware.

My apps (a few of which are already in production on various other platforms, including .NET, PHP and Javascript) all incorporate one or more treeviews for navigation purposes, in which the natural expectation is that you click on a node and the content panel - which may be a textbox, listbox or another treeview - updates to reflect the selection you have made.

I am wildly enthusiastic about Aware IM and have changed my entire business model to capitalise on it and promote it - I'm very keen to find a way to do this.

Unfortunately, it's not some esoteric nice-to-have feature, but a core functional requirement, without which the user experience will be severely compromised - to the point of making the entire exercise untenable. Users are very used to this functionality and, as you know, the more an interface works in a way that is "intuitive" tp them, the higher the adoption-rate. Here are examples of places they will be used to seeing it:

Outlook
Html Help
Windows Explorer
PowerPoint
Office Option configuration.

Thanks very much!

Gary

rocketman

... And just to clarify, the iPad thing was a bit of a red herring. A single click on any "Action" component on the web is what users expect/demand.

The tree functionality in AwareIM is awesome. But IMHO triggering the default operation on a single click on a node has to be got working .... Somehow.

Even menu structures created in the left panel using the configurator uses single click. Click the folder to expand the node, click the title to trigger the query/process. User created trees should be the same.

aware_support

Thinking more about this we have realized that you are right and we will implement single click for default operations for trees and custom data views

aware_support

This will be in 5.7

rocketman

Thats fantastic news support. You are the best ... as always

GaryBartlett

Seconded, Rocketman - I'm delighted!

This about more than the issue for me. This is also (and even more) about commitment to doing the right thing - even if it isn't obvious at first: acting in the interest of users, even when (one can only assume) the cost of doing so is high.

The details of this particular feature are less important than the principle.

Compliments and accolades to AwareSoft!

GaryBartlett

aware_support wrote
This will be in 5.7

Did this happen? I'm in the middle of my first commercial project and find that I am unable to assign an operation to a folder in a tree.

Did this feature fall through the cracks, Support?

I'm very keen to have it implemented, as I have a string of projects lined up, all of which need that functionality.

Thanks very much!

Gary

rocketman

All working good for me Gary

hpl123

aware_support wrote
This is because unlike query results a single click is needed for the selection of the node (both for trees and custom queries).

So a double click is just an extra way of invoking the functionality where single click is unavailable. For iPads you have to resort to pressing the button at the top/bottom.

If you have better suggestions they are welcome.

After working with the tree some I actually think the original behavior is better or rather a variation of it. Currently when working with the tree I/users double click on folders to open the folder (not using the default operation because it causes problems when having multiple types of BO´s in the tree) and it is very fast working with the tree this way but the problem is that users have to select an BO inside the folder and then invoke an operation from the menu/context menu. The ideal would be being able to configure a doubleclick default operation on certain BO´s in the tree i.e. the user doubleclicks to open up a folder and then doubleclicks on BO´s in the folder to invoke the default operation for that BO.

Support, could this be added as an option? Thanks

rocketman

You can't double-click on a tablet. The whole point was to have it work the same as the AwareIM menu trees. single click on a subnotes should involve the default process in order to make it work on all platforms

hpl123

I have tested this again and in the newer versions (I guess because in the awareim.com sample versions, this is not the way it works), clicking on a folder with a default operation give the user an error message telling him to choose an element in the tree. That´s great and I take back my last comment.

Note to support regarding the tree functionality. This is one of the more powerful queries and can support multiple BO´s and, drag and drop and a lot of various other nice things so I do still think having more options would be good.

hpl123

Err 🙂. After some more testing still, I would still prefer having the option to select default operation for BO´s / subnodes only in the tree because the default operation fix is still not working fully satisfactory I think. Again, more options overall would be great. Thanks