Files table update: New functionality for Noatak
The files table provides tools for managing files on every page. We’ve made improvements to this important user experience which can be seen in the screenshot below. Details follow.
1) Files & images combined
To reduced confusion and consolidate functionality, images have been added to the files table listing. Now all the attached files can be managed in one place regardless of the file type. The image gallery has also been simplified to a view only experience.
2) Updated revision information
By clicking the plus symbol next to a file, previous file revisions are loaded via AJAX to display information about file moves and renames. Yes, you can rename files now! From the file “Actions” menu, select “Move/rename” to change a file’s name.
3) Inline file description editing
In the past, lots of functionality was contained within popup dialogs. With each release we have tried to evaluate what functionality can be simplified without the use of a dialog. To this end, file descriptions are now edited inline on the page by hovering over the description and clicking. Upon clicking, the user is presented with a textbox for quick editing and saving.
4) Attach new file version
Have you ever wanted to update that one file but found that you uploaded a new file instead? Not anymore! The “Attach new version” feature ensures you upload a new version of the file you want. (And don’t forget you can rename that newly uploaded file too.)
Look for these new features in the Noatak release or try them out now at the MindTouch Community Portal!
While these file table updates are nice and a welcome improvement, I would really like to be able to sort and filter the columns. I considered doing this myself via javascript/jquery, but discovered that this is not a regular html table, but div sections, so I am not sure how to proceed.
Also, I checkout the svn trunk to see the changes for myself, but discovered that search is broken. I just get a blank page even after I recompile and reindex the wiki (trunk rev. 17049).
November 21st, 2009 at 5:10 pmNice catch on search not working. Now that Preview 1 has shipped all the functionality should be in working order. Please report any bugs that you may find!
November 25th, 2009 at 3:49 pmIs file tables only available in the commercial version or is also part of core?
December 11th, 2009 at 10:38 amThe files table is a core feature. :D
December 11th, 2009 at 11:16 amIf it doesn’t do this already, please have “attach with new version” optionally keep the old description. Thanks!
December 22nd, 2009 at 4:37 pm