5 replies to this topic

[Tigratrus]

We're working our way though the Apps familiarizing ourselves with how they work and figuring out how we want to customize them.

Started in on IP.Downloads and was totally stymied by why the Upload kept failing. Two separate people (both highly web savvy) looked at it and it took a lot of frustration before we realized that the"Attach Field" button had to be clicked. We both selected the file and went down to "Add Submission", repeatedly. :: double facepalm :: Now that we know what's happening, it's not a problem *for us* but based on our experience and feedback we've gotten from others, it's *DEFINITELY* something that we will need to address in our skin design as it is NOT an intuitive requirement.

Given our experience in building websites, and how valuable a fresh set of eyes that are not yet afflicted with the "Curse of Knowledge", I felt that this was something that really should be submitted here in the IP.D feedback forum. Reading though other threads here and in the App support forum, it's also clear that this has caused problems for several others. If it's causing problems for site admins, imagine how many Joe Members have had a problem with it?

Suggested Fix: Have the page popup a clear/specific error message if there is a file selected but not attached and the member clicks "Add Submission". It would be best to do this without refreshing the page (I.E. using Javascript) so that the file already selected does not have to be selected again.

Some folks may feel that this is excessive, but getting members to contribute files is a BIG deal for many sites, and if the initial experience is annoying for a new member it's quite likely that they will never try again.

James

[Michael]

If you use the Flash uploader, you don't have to worry about this issue. When you click that button to attach a file, it'll open a dialog to let you choose the file to upload, then confirming that dialog will automatically upload the file.

[Tigratrus]

If you use the Flash uploader, you don't have to worry about this issue. When you click that button to attach a file, it'll open a dialog to let you choose the file to upload, then confirming that dialog will automatically upload the file.

Fair enough, and thanks for the response... But that underscores the problem. What about the members that AREN'T using the flash uploader? My point is that the U/I could stand to be improved to make it more clear, and a verification popup would really improve it tremendously. The current error that occurs if you have selected a file but not attached it is totally unhelpful to a new member.

Please Understand, I'm not trying to fix this for *us*, we'll work around it and make it clear in our skin tweaks, I'm providing the feedback because it's something that needs to be improved to improve the experience on other sites who's admins might not notice the problem. Hence why I posted here in feedback. :-)

James

[Michael]

I get exactly where you're coming from. I can't fix it for you as I'm not IPS, I just wanted to throw that out there as something that you might suggest to your users. It is possible to make the flash uploader the default one on your site if that will help, but that requires a couple of SQL queries.

Just in case IPS doesn't implement this, know that you can turn to the community for help for this for use on your own site.

[bfarber]

There used to be JS restrictions in accessing type='file' input field values, restricting our ability to check if anything is in the field, etc.. Will have to determine what can be done about this, but I think the suggestion as a whole has merit.

[Tigratrus]

There used to be JS restrictions in accessing type='file' input field values, restricting our ability to check if anything is in the field, etc.. Will have to determine what can be done about this, but I think the suggestion as a whole has merit.

Thanks Brandon! You're a gentleman and a scholar...

James