A file is a discrete data structure in an operating system, that may encode any of a number of sorts of data (eg. a picture, song, video, piece of text, or web page).
2
votes
3answers
58 views
Show file size of (inline) linked downloads?
Should we show the file size of downloads linked on a web page?
For download sites (e.g. file hosting services), the answer is obviously yes. But what about websites that offer downloads only ...
5
votes
5answers
135 views
What is the most familiar wording of linking to a PDF file?
For certain industries and user-bases, it can make sense to include a link to a PDF version of a HTML web page — so that visitors can either view or download it.
From a recognizability and ...
9
votes
8answers
229 views
Force a PDF download vs allowing the user to view in browser first
Every once in a while, I come across a business requirement asking me to force a PDF document to be downloaded from a website instead of opened in the user's browser. While I question this every time ...
2
votes
3answers
69 views
How to handle a lot of generated report files?
A PC program lets the user work on a large amount of sets of data. A new feature will be the generation of report files. The user, while viewing or editing one of the sets of data in a quite complex ...
3
votes
2answers
72 views
How much should I automatically sanitize filenames for compatibility?
I'm writing a program for Mac OS X that allows the user to drag a row from a list in the application to Finder, where it automatically exports the data represented by the row to a file named after the ...
0
votes
2answers
57 views
Is there a reason why MS Outlook Express puts data file in a hidden folder?
This question fits into the broader user experience instead of just graphical user experience. Microsoft Outlook Express stores your email files in a hidden data folder buried deep in the user's home ...
5
votes
2answers
74 views
Best way to specify the path on where to install something
I have encountered this annoyance a thousand times when installing software: setting the path on where to install the software.
Too many times have I been into the trouble of cleaning up a messy ...
3
votes
3answers
97 views
Saving multiple files on program close
I have a Windows desktop application that can handle multiple files open on one canvas (in one instance of the program). You can modify and save each file individually, or all in one go.
If a user ...
6
votes
3answers
78 views
convention for file attaching on mobile
I'm building an app where the user needs to enter input on form fields.One of the inputs is to attach a file, it can be any file or it can a photo from a gallery.
I placed inside the form itself a ...
0
votes
1answer
61 views
Current recommendations: filesize of images and entire webpage?
What are the current recommendations for maximum file-sizes of inline img in websites?
Is there an upper limit that the entire page shouldn't exceed if it is image-heavy? You often hear 0.5 MB ...
7
votes
3answers
320 views
File Management As A UX Team
Working on a UX team, we've been looking at ways to improve the experience for our own workers in getting their job done and I was curious how other teams have approached file management.
In the ...
4
votes
2answers
110 views
Best way to include multiple upload fields in crowded form?
Context:
I'm working on a four step form, each step has between 4 to 10 input elements of various types, from text fields to dropdowns and checkboxes. I've managed to keep it gradual and easy so the ...
5
votes
2answers
171 views
Is adding “Flag as inappropriate” button necessary for site with expiring content?
I am not sure if this is the right place to ask but we have an interesting situation going on.
We are making a web service that allows users to share files, however, they do not have to sign up and ...
2
votes
3answers
291 views
Show only supported files or all files in open file dialogue?
I'm creating a mobile app which has a kind of open file browser or dialogue if you will.
Should i use a filter so only files supported by the application (.txt, .pdf, .epub) are visible or should i ...
3
votes
2answers
110 views
File operation open/close workflow
I'm working on an application (Mac OS X, if it matters) that opens a user defined file or folder, does a bunch of operations on it (as set up on the main window and tracked on a progress bar), then ...
48
votes
12answers
2k views
How can I guard against users accidentally sending emails without attachments?
I often dash off emails to people and still I forget attachments. I am using an email client which does keyword sniffing, e.g. if I type 'attachment' or similar it will pop up a warning, but more ...
3
votes
3answers
112 views
Indicating A Document Has Been Drawn On
Imagine layed out in front of you is a large board with little white pieces of paper representing the cover pages of system files on them. You are shown a title, and a modification date. How might ...
23
votes
9answers
2k views
Your download will start in X seconds
Is there any reason why many websites - including very mainstream ones such as microsoft.com and sourceforge.net - show a page with "Your download will start in 10 seconds; if you don't want to wait ...
4
votes
4answers
294 views
Should a file location field be provided up-front as part of a file upload feature?
Where there is the option to upload a single file to a website, what is the most intuitive method of doing this?
There seem to be two obvious options:
Give the user the location field and ...
8
votes
5answers
420 views
Renaming a file you are currently working in, why is this still not done?
We've all experienced this: You open a new document inside an application such as Word, Excel, Textmate, or others. You work on it for a while and save it. Then you wish you could rename it. What ...
9
votes
3answers
148 views
Title for a URL of source/upload field?
I want to ask people for a logo, not using to much space. The solution i'm using is to have an input text field where you can type in/paste the URL of a logo you may have it on server and a button at ...
2
votes
4answers
2k views
tree-view for mobile devices
Is it a good idea to use tree-view UI structure in iPhone or other Mobile devices? (e.g. for file browsing etc.)
5
votes
5answers
881 views
Multiple file selection for web file upload
I was recently asked what it would take to do multiple file uploads from a a web page with a traditional single selection browse box. My first reaction was, you can't!! Browsers don't allow it. I ...
11
votes
7answers
440 views
Saving & restoring undo stack — good or bad?
In a sovereign desktop app with multi-level undo/redo (ie Photoshop, Word, etc), would being able to save and restore the undo history of a file with the file itself be a good thing or a bad thing? My ...
