File chooser dialog UI needs revision

[DavLink]

I have used Ubuntu for 3 years and still find that the file selection dialog lacks an effective user interface. May users I know share the same opinion.

The window is too big. Much screen space is wasted.

Here are my suggestions to improve it.

Shrink the big gap below the name entry field, for example.
I never use the "Save in folder" dropdown list since the same choices are available in the Places list. Show the file selection view at all times, no need to put it inside a toggle pane.

File selection view :

The only view available in the current state is the detailed list. Nautilus-like modes should be added (icons and compact).
The icon size in List mode should be 16x16, allowing thinner rows and more elements on screen.

Commands :

In replacement of the "Create folder" button in a corner, all navigation and action commands should be packed in the same toolbar, using icons like in Nautilus. Some useful but missing commands are :

- Back
- Forward
- Up (remove the parent folder from the list)
- View mode (icons, compact, list)

The Places list:

Adding or removing a favorite is not an often performed action. The two buttons below the Places list should be replaced by right-click menu commands.

I suggest to divide this list in foldable logical sections like on Mac OS (Devices, Places and Favorites, for example) and theme it in a different way, allowing the user to focus on the file selection list.

[Lightbreeze (nedhoy-gmail)]

I agree with removing the Add and Remove buttons and the adjacent dropdown being moved elsewhere.
As you can see in my 'Save As...' dialog screenshot the Save in folder dropdown is disabled - when _is_ this enabled? It doesn't seem useful.

[Sebastien Bacher (seb128)]

Thank you for your bug report. The issue is an upstream one and it would be nice if somebody having it could send the bug the to the people writting the software (https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Bugs/Upstream/GNOME)

[Vish (vish)]

Thank you for bringing this bug to our attention.

This is not a simple fix.
As Sebastien has said needs to be reported upstream.

A paper cut is a minor usability annoyance that an average user would encounter on his/her first day of using a new installation of Ubuntu 9.10.

For further info about papercuts criteria , pls read > https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PaperCut

Don't worry though, This bug has been marked as "invalid" ONLY in the papercuts project.

[Vish (vish)]

There is a similar report upstream .
I have posted your suggestions upstream as well , you can track and follow the upstream bug report at > https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=530492

[James (purpleidea)]

Hi,
The "upstream" report is somewhat similar in that it suggests changes to the dialog, but the intention is different. The report suggests added functionality to let the user know whether the file name they've chosen is already in use in a "live" way. Hope this was clear, there is a useful image and better description on that report.
cheers!
_James

[Timothy Arceri (t-fridey)]

Is this valid in gtk3? If so this should be changed to gtk3 as gtk2 is only accepting bug fixes these days.