Add Tags from info panel problem

[admin]

Simply state in the help file that the IP works on the focused item only. There's no other way. If someone looks how the Properties panel behaves, he gets used to this paradigm and soon expects all the other panels to work the same way. Would be much more confusing a Tags panel behaving differently, on the long term. Plus, I'm 99% sure, someone would ask you to turn all the other panels behave like Tags (like I did months and months ago...)

But it currently applies tags to all selected items. Which can be useful. (And is consistent with the behavior of time-stamping in the Properties panel.) You mean it should stop doing this?

[Marco]

Big question. You should open a poll for this. The new tweak sure makes the Tag panel behaviour consistent with the one of the Properties panel, but it's this very behaviour that doesn't seem very logical to me. If I select multiple files I see the info of just one of them (or none at all), yet I can modify the properties of all them. Weird, no?
But again, maybe it's just me. More opinions are needed.

[admin]

@all: If you select multiple files you do so for a reason. I think it's only natural that actions apply to all selected files. This holds true throughout the program with only few exceptions. Hence I don't see a strong need for change.

[kiwichick]

Love the new beta update, admin, thanks yet again to your hard work and dedication

[kiwichick]

Yes, that's the dilemma, isn't it? The fact that it displays tags for

the focused item only

But it

applies tags to all selected items

And what to do about it? Here are a few suggestions:

Display the existing tags in the Tags: field if only one item is selected. For multiple selections, instead of tag names have a message regarding multiple selections and, like the default behaviour now, that message would be selected for overwrite when the Tags: the field is entered (by click or tab).

Utilize the "Edit tags using a list" button at the end of the Tags: field. Could it pop up automatically when multiple selections are made? Or the message I mentioned above could say something like "Multiple selections made, Click ... (change button name?) to Edit tags using a list" Or have a popup first that says something like "Multiple selections made, Click OK to Edit tags using a list" then popup the list on click OK - with the checkboxes pre-checked for tags of all selected items.

Another bit of a concern I have with tagging through IP is that it 'sets' rather than 'adds' tags which, again, limits its use. And, to the unaware, it would be devastating if they selected hundreds of files to Add one tag to all of them and then find they've overwritten the existing tags.

Maybe you could look at 'options' to Add or Set - with perhaps a popup with an explanation of what will happen (add or set) and that it will happen to all selected items (including "don't remind me about this again").

But different scenarios may require one or the other so, even though you don't want to "complicate the Tags tab by further elements", you could maybe replace the single Apply button, with two smaller buttons - Add and Set.

Whether or not there are any further changes made, I feel the most important thing is to make clear what is going to happen (add or set) and what it is going to happen to (all selected items). That way, no nasty surprises

[admin]

Yes, I'm thinking about adding a small dropdown with two options Add and Set (maybe even Remove to make it complete?).

[kiwichick]

Awesome, although won't that involve an extra click for every tag operation?

1. click dropdown, 2. click add/set/remove vs 1. click add/set/remove button

A lot of extra clicks when doing lots of tagging.

Yes, including Remove is an excellent idea!

And maybe something to consider for the future. Currently, tagging by any standard method tags only the selected items. Folders aren't recursive. I have had some great help from users here getting scripts that will tag (and remove) folders recursively and it would be great to see that as a feature So my custom toolbar buttons for Add and Remove tags include options to apply selectively or recursively. The Remove script will also show only the tags of the selected items which makes the list much easier to navigate.

[serendipity]

Regarding this change:

Code: Select all

 > Info Panel | Tags: The Apply button always applies all fields.
      To apply only Tags and not the other fields (Label and Comment) 
      press Enter when the focus is in the Tags edit box. Same works for 
      the other fields.

Wouldn't it be easier with check boxes? then only those checked will be applied:

Tags2.png (9 KiB) Viewed 1956 times

Thoughts?

[kiwichick]

Oooooh excellent idea!!!!! I don't use labels or comments myself so it wouldn't bother me but, for those that do, to be able to isolate the "Apply" to only tags I think is a good idea.

And upon checking the latest update, when you said:

I'm thinking about adding a small dropdown with two options Add and Set (maybe even Remove to make it complete?).

I didn't see in my head what you actually did. I was picturing having to activate the dropdown and click it every time to apply the tags - I didn't realise you'd keep the Apply button. Having the dropdown set to Add/Set/Remove and still have the Apply button is GREAT!!!

[admin]

Regarding this change:

Code: Select all

 > Info Panel | Tags: The Apply button always applies all fields.
      To apply only Tags and not the other fields (Label and Comment) 
      press Enter when the focus is in the Tags edit box. Same works for 
      the other fields.

Wouldn't it be easier with check boxes? then only those checked will be applied:

Tags2.png

Thoughts?

Looks good. I'll think about it.

[kiwichick]

Oh der!!! Sorry serendipity, I just realised it was actually you and not Don who posted about the checkboxes

[admin]

Wouldn't it be easier with check boxes? then only those checked will be applied: ...

Wouldn't it be more standard to put the checkboxes in front of the Labels:, Tags: , and Comment: labels, like it's done in the Find Files | Tags tab?

[j_c_hallgren]

Wouldn't it be more standard to put the checkboxes in front of the Labels:, Tags: , and Comment: labels, like it's done in the Find Files | Tags tab?

It may be more standard but having them closer to Apply button may make them easier to use/access...we'll see if others comment...consistency has definite merits, however.

[admin]

Wouldn't it be more standard to put the checkboxes in front of the Labels:, Tags: , and Comment: labels, like it's done in the Find Files | Tags tab?

It may be more standard but having them closer to Apply button may make them easier to use/access...we'll see if others comment...consistency has definite merits, however.

Too late.

[serendipity]

Too late.

I see its already there. Looks good with check boxes on left too.