[kepler-dev] DataSource Icon troubles

[Shawn Bowers]

Laura L. Downey wrote:

 > The only real technicality here regarding standard design principles
 > is that we might think there would be a little confusion when
 > dragging a data file from the tree that turns into a different large
 > file folder on the workflow canvas.  I wondered the same when I
 > first looked at Kepler.

So basically you are proposing we have two kinds of folders in the
actor/data trees: one signifying normal folders (i.e., something that
can have sub-folders and actors and/or datasets), and one signifying
datasets themselves -- and both of these essentially look the same (at
least closer now), except with slightly different yellow colors and
shading.

Also, a folder to me signifies something that can be hierarchically
nested (i.e., containing subfolders) and can contain multiple files
...  I don't see how this reflects the notion of a tabular dataset
(*maybe* XML, but that makes it even more confusing) --

-shawn


 >
 > But we haven't had any feedback during training or basic testing that
 > indicated people were confused with a directory file folder in a tree 
and
 > the large file symbol being used in a workflow.
 >
 > I haven't tried it yet but did think about representing data files in 
the
 > tree that can be dragged as the flat dark gold file symbol so that they
 > looked different than the standard directory file folders in the 
tree.  Also
 > users can't drag the directory file folders but they can drag the 
data file
 > folders.
 >
 > Laura L. Downey
 > Senior Usability Engineer
 > LTER Network Office
 > Department of Biology, MSC03 2020
 > 1 University of New Mexico
 > Albuquerque, NM  87131-0001
 > 505.277.3157 office
 > 505.610.9657 mobile
 > 505.277-2541 fax
 > ldowney at lternet.edu
 >
 >
 > -----Original Message-----
 > From: Shawn Bowers [mailto:sbowers at ucdavis.edu]
 > Sent: Friday, February 03, 2006 8:55 AM
 > To: Laura L. Downey
 > Cc: 'Kevin Ruland'; 'Shawn Bowers'; 'Matthew Brooke';
 > Kepler-dev at ecoinformatics.org
 > Subject: RE: [kepler-dev] DataSource Icon troubles
 >
 >
 > So, according to this argument, we need to change the folder icons in 
the
 > actor library, right?
 >
 > -shawn
 >
 > On Fri, 3 Feb 2006, Laura L. Downey wrote:
 >
 >> Yes consistency is important, especially in symbology and color.  We 
don't
 >> want two different colors meaning the same thing, or two different 
symbols
 >> meaning the same thing either. Conversely we don't want one symbol 
or one
 >> color meaning two distinctly different things either.
 >>
 >> The current proposal is to establish a baseline set of symbols with the
 > file
 >> folder representing data.  So I would expect the set of workflows that
 >> Kepler ships with originally to conform to our baseline set of 
symbols and
 >> with consistency.  But workflow creators will also have the option 
to add
 >> their own symbols within the icon style and colors offered.  So it is
 >> possible that someone will add their own data symbol and use that in 
the
 >> future.
 >>
 >> Laura L. Downey
 >> Senior Usability Engineer
 >> LTER Network Office
 >> Department of Biology, MSC03 2020
 >> 1 University of New Mexico
 >> Albuquerque, NM  87131-0001
 >> 505.277.3157 office
 >> 505.610.9657 mobile
 >> 505.277-2541 fax
 >> ldowney at lternet.edu
 >>
 >>
 >> -----Original Message-----
 >> From: Kevin Ruland [mailto:kruland at ku.edu]
 >> Sent: Friday, February 03, 2006 8:29 AM
 >> To: Laura L. Downey
 >> Cc: 'Shawn Bowers'; 'Matthew Brooke'; Kepler-dev at ecoinformatics.org
 >> Subject: Re: [kepler-dev] DataSource Icon troubles
 >>
 >>
 >> There is an inconsistency currently, the DarwinCore and EML datasources
 >> use the folder icon (same object actually) but the GEON uses a
 >> cylinder.  I think it's best for them to all use exactly the same code
 >> for easier maintenance and visual pleasure.
 >>
 >> Kevin
 >>
 >> Laura L. Downey wrote:
 >>> Keeping the file folder maintains some of the current symbology to 
ease
 >> the
 >>> transition, and also no one previously voiced any problem with its
 > current
 >>> use.  Also during training and basic testing, none of the users have
 >>> reported any issue with a file folder representing data.
 >>>
 >>> For many people the cylinder shape implies specifically a database.
 >>>
 >>> Laura L. Downey
 >>> Senior Usability Engineer
 >>> LTER Network Office
 >>> Department of Biology, MSC03 2020
 >>> 1 University of New Mexico
 >>> Albuquerque, NM  87131-0001
 >>> 505.277.3157 office
 >>> 505.610.9657 mobile
 >>> 505.277-2541 fax
 >>> ldowney at lternet.edu
 >>>
 >>>
 >>