search bar disappears

[ferrouswheel]

When I click on an application in the search results, the profile for the application appears, but the search bar unintuitively disappears. I have to go back to create a new search. There is no need for this, since the screen real estate where the search bar sits is not used for anything else.

version 5.2.3
Description: Ubuntu 12.04 LTS
Release: 12.04

[Gary Lasker (gary-lasker)]

Hi ferrouswheel, and thank you for your report. Actually, it is by design that the search field is hidden when viewing the details view for a package. The reason is that since you are viewing a single package, there is no "domain" of packages to search over.

This is consistent with the Software Center design specification:

  https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SoftwareCenter#Software_item_screen

There is a statement in this section "A software item screen is not searchable. "

Based on this, I'll close this one. Thank you for your help!

[ferrouswheel (joel-pitt)]

The full screen mockup (linked from the spec) displays a search bar: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SoftwareCenter?action=AttachFile&do=view&target=softwareCentre_Item.png

There shouldn't be any search on the item being presented, but I think being able to do another search without an unnecessary extra click would make the experience a lot more enjoyable. Users are becoming more used to using web browsers where the search bar is ever present!

[Matthew Paul Thomas (mpt)]

ferrouswheel, I realize it's a bit odd for the search field to disappear. But as I explained in bug 828790, the problem is that it wouldn't be clear what should be searched. For example, if you clicked on "Periodic Table" in the "Top Rated" area of the home screen, and then you entered text in the search field from the application screen, what should it search? (a) All software, (b) Science & Engineering, (c) Chemistry, or (d) the 60 Top Rated? If you can think of a good way to make this obvious, I'd be delighted.