Jacques,
Thanks for this detailed email.
My answer in-line.
Le 04/02/2016 19:28, Jacques Le Roux a écrit :
Hi All,
Julien, who created the new Rainbow Stone theme (OFBIZ-6843),
privately asked me (translation from French):
<<Last time you said you like the theme Tomahawk. So I was wondering
out of curiosity what makes you like this theme?>>
Actually the question for me is more why I prefer Tomahawk(and its
predecessors) over Flat Grey. I put apart the Bizzness time theme
because, in my opinion, it has still some issues (OFBIZ-2398). I know
certain persons prefer it.
I somehow already answered this question at
http://markmail.org/message/hpfgweo4v34glptq
The main point is it's often easier to read text of narrow lengths.
For instance that's why (with other reasons) newspapers have
multi-columns. And also why TV prompters show few words by line. For
prompters I guess the idea is also not to have journalists/presenters
eyes moving (it's coupled with rolling down text).
At least it's my opinion: it's easier to read a column of options than
a line of options. Especially if the number of options is significant.
Also because the words forming the options are not a sentence and we
(at least in LTR languages) are used to read sentences from Left to
Right. And reading words w/o relations between them in line confuses
your brain. So I don't know you, but it causes me headaches to find
menu options in line like in Flat Grey. When I find it easier in menu
options in column like in Tomahawk, where I spot them almost instantly.
This said I think Julien already answered somehow to this point of
view. Because his new theme integrates a mix of features we had so far:
* tabs for 1st web apps (like in the 1st "theme" OFBiz had initially)
and sub-menus
* Drop-down menus for some of the (others) web apps
Thanks for the effort Julien: impressive!
Thanks but the reality is not really the same. The reason is quite
simple. Except admin (and developers of course), users don't need to
have all application menu. If you are purchase manager, you are using
purchase management. If you are production manager, only production, etc.
But I admit that it's a war between people who want a vertical menu and
people who want an horizontal one. I prefer vertical for several reasons
but I like the fixed vertical menu instead of drop down menu. I have a
lot of reason but I lose the war against my colleague :)
You also asked
<<Do you have tracks that would allow me to take the best of what
exists to put it in my theme?>>
Yes, there are some points we could improve in this new theme:
* Actually having too much options in a vertical menu is almost as
confusing as having menu options in a line. I like how main web apps were
initially separated from others in the Bizzness time theme[1]. This
way still exists in Tomahawk and I miss it in Rainbow Stone. Maybe we
could
have all the main web apps in tabs? I think the screens widths now
allow it (OK not in pads or smartphone, but this is more about backend
which I
guess is most used on wide screens). Maybe, as you did, keep only
few tabs and have 2 dropdown menus?
Starting the previous facts, the "more" (+) dropdown menu don't need to
be there. It's even better to not have this drop down menu.
I set by default to 9 entries because of the customer specifications
need to show it on a 1360px width screen and a quite big company logo.
For me the improvement could be to set number of main application easier :)
* Where are shown the "Last system notes" ?
You're true! I just remove it (because of the customer specifications
again...) I've an idea to show it easily.
This said we still miss to have (an option?) the tabs sorted
alphabetically (in each language) ;)
Yes it could be better to have it sorted alphabetically. In another
hand, integration could define the menu sorting. Using "position"
parameters in ofbiz-component.xml
Alphabetical sort is not really the best choice for a good UX but the
default choice at least.
Also you should remove your avatar from the theme images provided ;)
Ho! Yes! it's everywhere in my application setting, so I don't see it
any more ;)
Is there a way for users to set their own?
Yes of course, It's already available in OFBiz but never used. Just
define a party content "Logo image url" for your user party.
Also how can contributors from missing countries propose their own
flag? Ha, when you change to some languages nothing appears (like ES
or NL).
There are certainly other trivial things I missed...
No, you're true. I had a new css management to have all flag. But it's
working with this format : FR_fr
I manage specific algorithm for FR and EN but all other languages have
to be managed.
As a last note, I finally think choosing a them is more a subjective
thing and, like Flat Grey, Rainbow Stone has the great advantage of
supporting RTL, a good mix really!
I don't test rtl yet, so maybe it could be interesting if people use rtl
languages can try it.
And definitely yes, choosing a theme is more a subjective thing, you're
true.
Sorry for the long post :)
No, it's very interesting as always. Thanks again Jacques :)
Julien.
Jacques
[1] Actually in R09.04 the specialpurpose web apps where in the footer.
