Re: Finder File Size discrepancy..
Re: Finder File Size discrepancy..
- Subject: Re: Finder File Size discrepancy..
- From: Conrad Shultz <email@hidden>
- Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:12:15 -0800
On Dec 28, 2011, at 8:31, John Hawkinson <email@hidden> wrote:
> Conrad Shultz wites:
>> * Will a file fit on a storage medium?
>> * How long will it take a file to download?
>> * What percentage of a file do I already have?
>> * (Implicitly) can I manipulate the contents of the file without slowing
>> my computer down?
>>
>> So: in most cases, I would argue it is better to display the pertinent
>> information, not the file size.
>
> Unfortunately it is nearly impossible to predict when the user might
> require the size information, and it's extremely frustrating for the
> user when this basic information is hidden.
>
> So I would disagree, and disagree strongly. Show the information you
> think is more important, but provide the file size too. Make it as
> small or unobtrusive in the UI as you need to, but don't hide it.
>
Sure, in cases where it is relevant. But even then I would argue that it's relevant mainly for explicit "file manager"-esque applications, not most applications.
If by "unobtrusive" you mean something along the lines of "available in a Detail panel" then I'm totally on board. I just really don't want it blasted to the user in the way it often is in, say, applications on my Linux boxes.
> For instance, time estimates are *notoriously* unreliable, especially
> where networks are involved.
I agree. But if the software can't make a reasonable estimate, why should we expect the user to do better? I can see the need for a percentage indicator (which is why download progress bars are a good thing), in part to give the user a cue to cancel if it doesn't look like they have enough time to finish a download (setting aside download resume for purposes of this discussion). But even for power users displaying "xxx of yyy MB" adds no value. The user can't *do* anything with this information, at least any more than they could with a progress bar.*
About the only place the numeric value is helpful for downloads is when someone is tracking their data quota, such as on an iPhone. (Of course, the only reason this is necessary is because of user experience failures on the part of telecom companies. But I digress.)
(Sent from my iPad.)
--
Conrad Shultz_______________________________________________
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