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"Download this [XML] source (ZIP)" link
Document Actions
Submitted by
maxwell.
on 2006-07-21 17:35.
Mock-ups for the new link
Here are two ideas for including the link to download a zip file of the module's source code and related files, both in the same mock-up. I think it makes sense to juxtapose it with the "Print (PDF)" link because it creates a nice pairing of links with, first, a verb describing the action ("print"/"download source") followed by a parenthetical filetype.
One idea is to include the link where the current "Print (PDF)" link is, and decrease the text size so that it doesn't take up too much space. Such an idea creates difficulties for certain stylesheets, but it may just mean we'd have to edit those stylesheets to accommodate.
The other (my preferred method) is to move the "Print (PDF)" and "Download Source (ZIP)" links into the sidebar, along with the "Edit this content" link, change the header from "Edit-in-Place" to something like "Content Actions", and move that section of the sidebar above the style switcher.
Re: "Download this [XML] source (ZIP)" link
Posted by
reedstrm
at
2006-07-21 22:03
Hmm, How aobut moving the section to the _top_ of the sidebar?
Re: Re: "Download this [XML] source (ZIP)" link
Posted by
maxwell
at
2006-07-24 14:21
The one nice thing about that idea is that it those links could be in the same place for both modules and courses, since you've mentioned that both those links will be on course pages eventually, right?
Re: "Download this [XML] source (ZIP)" link
Posted by
jenn
at
2006-07-24 09:28
(In response to Ross) Nah, I prefer it where it is. I like the upper-right links too, but the sidebar section is certainly clearer and more expandable.
If we nixed the upper-right links altogether, would we be able to move the course links up into that space, maybe with a header/title of "Course Navigation"? It's really not very clear right now what prev/toc/next is referring to; that's bugged me for quite a while.
If we nixed the upper-right links altogether, would we be able to move the course links up into that space, maybe with a header/title of "Course Navigation"? It's really not very clear right now what prev/toc/next is referring to; that's bugged me for quite a while.
Re: "Download this [XML] source (ZIP)" link
Posted by
kclarks
at
2006-07-24 10:13
I like the look of either link. I think I slightly prefer the links at the top of the page, because that is where we usually put actions for content.
I would like it noted that I dislike using the word "Print" as a link to download a file. I think "Print" implies that it will actually fire off the file to your printer. I don't have a good suggestion to change it to, though. I think something like "Printable Format (PDF)" or "Printer-friendly version (PDF)" would be better, but they are a bit long.
I would like it noted that I dislike using the word "Print" as a link to download a file. I think "Print" implies that it will actually fire off the file to your printer. I don't have a good suggestion to change it to, though. I think something like "Printable Format (PDF)" or "Printer-friendly version (PDF)" would be better, but they are a bit long.
Re: Re: "Download this [XML] source (ZIP)" link
Posted by
maxwell
at
2006-07-24 14:46
Ok, so I was looking for anything I had written up in the last usability study we did regarding the "Print (PDF)" link (which used to be just a "PRINT" link (next to "ABOUT" and "HISTORY", etc.) and for the purposes of a the study was changed to "PDF"). It looks like my main reason not to make it "Printer-friendly (PDF)" or one of its variations was indeed the lenght of such text. However, if "Download Source (ZIP)" is in the same place, that's kind of a moot point. It would created part-of-speech disagreement, however, unless the new link were changed to something like "Full-source download (ZIP)". Here is what I wrote in October '04:
10) Change the “PDF” link to read “Print (PDF)”, or something similar. Surprisingly, a number of users already would have clicked that link for a Print version anyway. However, a number of users relied on Copying and Pasting the content into Word in order to avoid the material on the sidebar and top of the page. Also, some users would normally use “File -> Print…” to print the page but had concerns about using too much ink on the blue parts of our page. Still other users preferred the “PRINT” link of the old module style. I think writing “Print (PDF)” might be clearer to all these groups, but it carries the risk of implying that it will immediately send the document to your printer. “Print Version (PDF)” would be the clearest, but I’m trying to avoid too much text. Another idea is to include yet another version – a plain HTML page, which was what at least one user of the old module style expected when clicking on “PRINT.” This stylesheet could also be used to improve the output of the users who will inevitably use “File -> Print…” anyway. No matter what we do, alt and title attributes will help. Another thought: “Printer-friendly: HTML | PDF” where the latter two words are separate links.
10) Change the “PDF” link to read “Print (PDF)”, or something similar. Surprisingly, a number of users already would have clicked that link for a Print version anyway. However, a number of users relied on Copying and Pasting the content into Word in order to avoid the material on the sidebar and top of the page. Also, some users would normally use “File -> Print…” to print the page but had concerns about using too much ink on the blue parts of our page. Still other users preferred the “PRINT” link of the old module style. I think writing “Print (PDF)” might be clearer to all these groups, but it carries the risk of implying that it will immediately send the document to your printer. “Print Version (PDF)” would be the clearest, but I’m trying to avoid too much text. Another idea is to include yet another version – a plain HTML page, which was what at least one user of the old module style expected when clicking on “PRINT.” This stylesheet could also be used to improve the output of the users who will inevitably use “File -> Print…” anyway. No matter what we do, alt and title attributes will help. Another thought: “Printer-friendly: HTML | PDF” where the latter two words are separate links.
Re: "Download this [XML] source (ZIP)" link
Posted by
mhusband
at
2006-07-25 15:03
I vote for placing the ZIP and Print under the Content Actions on the left. I also like Jenn's idea about moving the Previous/Next buttons up to the space in the upper right that will be created when the Print link is moved.
Re: "Download this [XML] source (ZIP)" link
Posted by
cbearden
at
2006-08-08 10:25
I go along with Jenn and Mark about putting both the PDF and ZIP links in the left sidebar, and trying out course navigation links in the upper right-hand where the PDF link was.
I think I'd need to see the content action links both in their present spot and moved to the top of the sidebar to know which I prefer.
I think I'd need to see the content action links both in their present spot and moved to the top of the sidebar to know which I prefer.
Re: "Download this [XML] source (ZIP)" link
Posted by
manpreet
at
2006-08-08 11:31
While I would recommend putting all the "content-related" links closer to the content rather than the left-navigation area, in the interest of expandability, I prefer to see them in the left nav, especially if we are planning to grow the content actions.
Max - can we see mockups of just the edit link in the content area, and the download/print etc. in the left nav?
Max - can we see mockups of just the edit link in the content area, and the download/print etc. in the left nav?
Re: Re: "Download this [XML] source (ZIP)" link
Posted by
maxwell
at
2006-08-25 16:17
Here ya go:
http://mountainbunker.org/~maxwell/download-source/edit.html
http://mountainbunker.org/~maxwell/download-source/edit.html
Re: "Download this [XML] source (ZIP)" link
Posted by
manpreet
at
2006-10-12 10:57
Lets put them all in the left navigation area.
