Topic: Open images in new window

I agree that a new window would be useful, then whatever comments are associated with the image are still on tne screen for me to view while viewing the image that had been posted. It would be similar to any “view item larger” function on an ecommerce site- there is a thumbnail and the large image typically opens in a new window…then the user doesn’t “lose” where they just were…it’s still behind the smaller image window. My 2 cents…

Topic: Open images in new window

Hi John – the only problem there is that one would now have ‘extra clicks/decisions’ with a (IMO) unnecessary ‘save as’ dialogue box. Again, I think the key point is that Basecamp’s navigation ‘goes away’ when opening these files – from a usability standpoint, that’s not the ideal situation so a new window would be helpful to the user.

Topic: Open images in new window

fcowell – there are basically two recommendations in that article (good find, btw) and I happen to like the alternative better; that is, to change the header info for certain file types to force the browser to display a “Save As” dialogue box. Much better way of handling non-HTML docs than new window/tab, IMO.

The real problem I see here is that people use browsers in all sorts of different ways. I tend to agree with Jason that, in the context of Basecamp, breaking “convention” in terms of default browser behaviour is not the best approach.

Topic: Open images in new window

According to one of the web’s foremost experts on usability, there are definitely situations where an application/website SHOULD open links in a new window. Opening the uploaded file causes the site’s (Basecamp) navigation to ‘go away’. This is definitely an indicator that this document should open in a new window.

The article below explains a PDF document as an example where the PDF ‘engine’ so-to-speak adds its own navigational elements, therefore creating ‘navigation confusion’ (where you would have a difference in navigation than what the user was used to on the site). Read it here:

http://www.useit.com/alertbox/open_new_windows.html

Topic: Open images in new window

Jallan, your feedback is always appreciated. Everyone’s feedback is appreciated. That goes without saying. We say this many times a day, it just gets a little repetitive so we don’t mention it each and every single time.

However, while we may appreciate the feedback it doesn’t mean we agree with it. Good people can disagree. In this case I disagreed with you which was why I was offering my perspective. That’s all. No fight, no argument, just a different perspective.

Now let’s both get some work done.

Topic: Open images in new window

Look Bryan, when a client takes the time to offer his suggestions, the appropriate thing to do is say, “thanks for your input.” Not argue with them.

Calling someone “wrong” is not an attack, it is an opinion.

This isn’t a matter of needing to “lighten up” this is a matter of needing to feel like your input is valued, not opposed.

I personally do not have ANY problems using the system in terms of images opening in the same window. I’m writing because I’ve had numerous complaints from MY clients, and that’s all I really care about: making my clients happy. This system is a tool to help me do that, and if I think the tool can be improved, I say so.

Yeah, a vacation would be nice. So would a simple, “Thanks for your input, we’ll take it into consideration. We appreciate you taking the time to communicate with us.”

Topic: Open images in new window

Jallan, chill out man. Sheesh. The only one arguing here is you.

Jason presented a calm, simple point-of-view perspective without any attacks. He didn’t call you wrong, you called him “wrong”. He didn’t say “I can’t understand why you are so adamant about this,” you did. He didn’t toss out the passive aggressive jab: “If you don’t want to make this system as user friendly as you can, then by all means stick to your guns,” you did.

You seem to be the one arguing. And what’s with this: “but don’t argue with me about it, it’s insulting.” If you are insulted by someone else’s calm opinion then you should take a vacation. You’re too wound up.

Lighten up man.

Topic: Open images in new window

@jallanstudios—Dude, just get Firefox / Opera and middle mouse / wheel click.

While I’d prefer the default behavior to be ‘Open in a new window’ this issue isn’t worth generating any animosity over; chillax.

Topic: Open images in new window

Jason, not sure why you’re so adamant about this one, but I can tell you you are wrong. Multiple web browser windows is in no way a foreign concept. Go to cnn.com and take a quick vote, or view one of their videos. Go to amazon.com and click “view larger image” on any one of their products. Tell me what happens. Tell me how “foreign” this feels to you.

To me, it sounds like you are arguing for what people SHOULD do. I’m arguing for what they actually DO. If you don’t want to make this system as user friendly as you can, then by all means stick to your guns. I’m offering a suggestion that will make your product better, take it or leave it, but don’t argue with me about it, it’s insulting.

Topic: Open images in new window

Jallan, Just hold down shift or ctrl. Simple :D

Topic: Open images in new window

The default click on the web is to open something in the same window. We believe following that convention is the right thing to do.

Multiple web browser windows is actually a pretty foreign thing for the majority of people out there. Powerusers like yourself can right click if they want custom behaviors. The rest of the people can get what they already expect: Links to open in the same window.

As far as asking someone what they want to do each time they click a link, that’s not something we’re going to burden people with. People have the choice already: click normally for normal expected behavior or right-click for custom behavior.

Topic: Open images in new window

I understand what you’re saying, but my question is, “Is this as user-friendly as possible?” That’s always the approach I take when designing/developing sites of my own. In this instance, 9 times out of 10 people are just going to left click the link (I base this on feedback from my own clients who have used the system). Then, when they are done viewing the image they are going to go to close the window, this is just a tendency. Rather than expect people to know to right click the link, why not just have a dialog box pop up when the link is left clicked asking users if they want to open the file in a new window or save to disk?

Topic: Some adjustments to the Overview screen

I had no idea. I was out of town and come back this morning to see we’re still arguing about the overview page. Some are arguing about how to argue even (statistics and ratios). Maybe he should take his time getting back here :)

Topic: Some adjustments to the Overview screen

Tempest, Jason has been pretty ill for the last several days. He fully intends to write a post about the design decisions behind this, as soon as he’s able. Please be patient.

Topic: Some adjustments to the Overview screen

“Are you serious? How many times does it need to be posted by Jason that he’s writing a full blog post about the reasons for this tomorrow?”

Well- where’s the post?

Topic: Open images in new window

Opening files in a separate window is something you can choose to do if you’d like by right clicking the file. Opening links/files in other windows is a non-standard option that is controlled by each individual person based on their own specific preferences.

Topic: Some adjustments to the Overview screen

When I add a “To Do” item, my Overview screen shows “To-do” instead of “added a to-do”, is this how it’s supposed to be?

Topic: Open images in new window

I use Basecamp to share graphic design files. When I upload an image file, say a .jpg for example, and click on the newly created link, it opens the file in the web browser. Personally, I would like for it to just open a dialog box prompting the user to open or save, and then open it with their default image viewer should they choose open. But if it remains as it is now, can we at least have that file open in a new window since the natural tendency is to close the window after viewing the file, which would in this case close down Basecamp altogether, which is not quite user-friendly.

Topic: Some adjustments to the Overview screen

I’ve used basecamp for about a year now. I did notice that it looks chunky now – not as professional as it used to.

I don’t have time to go into real specifics but the user interface looks more generic or something can’t put my finger on it. I am a designer and liked the clean or older look and feel. I like an update as well as anybody, but not this one.

Perhaps a new color pallet with softer colors on overview – that may not be the answer but its like “wham-plop-clink.”.

Keep up the ”” work with the app. still works just don’t get the update. Not going anywhere just some feedback.

Mikal

Topic: Some adjustments to the Overview screen

OMG, I LOVE the new updates. I’ve been at a Brian Tracy event all morning and I just got in. Using just Milestone or To Do is much better

Topic: Some adjustments to the Overview screen

I find it weird that the NEW stuff is a bigger font than the Upcoming Milestones on the Project Overview page. I like the Dashboard’s current layout better. (as of 5/11/2007 4:42 p.m. Central Time)

Topic: Some adjustments to the Overview screen

I like those suggestions Tom.

I’d like to add that it would be nice to download files directly from the Dashboard and Overview screens.

That is, a link to a file is a link to a file, rather than a link to the Files tab.

Topic: Some adjustments to the Overview screen

Crap I sure hope not, there’s NOTHING wrong with the dashboard.

I actually think there are a few changes to the Dashboard that would be very helpful:

• Allow me to check a setting that doesn’t show an active job on the Dashboard. I can do this by making a project ‘on hold’—but I’d rather do it more elegantly.

• Similarly, allow me to make a project sticky on the Dashboard. We are often updating more than 5 projects a day and sometimes a really important item gets pushed off the Dash (by a far less important project item).

• Would love to be able to see more items per project, but I understand the ‘expensiveness’ of this server call across all Basecamp users.

Topic: Some adjustments to the Overview screen

The chicklets are now an outdated design artifact that’s been abandoned (or was never there in the first place) across the rest of the suite of 37S apps. I’d expect them to disappear from the Dashboard in the next ‘refresh’ as it certainly doesn’t make much sense to have the Dash (which I’ve see as an Overview aggregator) so different from Overview.

Topic: Some adjustments to the Overview screen

I agree that the project overview page is a little messy. One thing that might help is to standardize the widths of the File, Overview, Message, etc. tags so that things would line up in a column better. It would be nice if they were a little smaller (like the dashboard). They are just too “in your face” right now.