Dash - unable to select multiple search filters within the same filter category simultaneously

[John Lea]

Unable to select multiple search filters within the same Dash filter category simultaneously.

Desired resolution:
- It should be possible to select multiple filter options within the same filter category simultaneously.
- For example, in the file lens it should be possible to select all files that are either "Images" or "Videos" at the same time by selecting both the "Videos" and "Images" options.
- Think of the filter categories as containing checkboxes, not radio buttons.

[Mikkel Kamstrup Erlandsen (kamstrup)]

This is a bug in the files and apps lenses. They use a RadioOptionFilter, that doesn't allow for multiple selections. This behavior was carried over from Natty, and punted from Oneiric because we were busy revamping the lenses infrastructure.

This bug should be targeted at the early parts of the P cycle.

[Jeremie Tamburini (jeremie2)]

I have noticed this new behaviour and I was wondering whether this could be a bug or a new feature. Finally I found this page.

I think this setup might be useful to search files, but it tends to be annoying with the Application lens. For instance if I'm watching the "System" category, then selecting the "Games" category all the softwares will be mixed together.
This means every time you select a filter item you have to deselect the previous category. The app lens already requires many clicks (to open the category filter, to show all the results...) before "reaching" all the installed softwares in a category. This beaviour add a another step.

I mean, a setup which result proper for one lens, might not be the best for another lens.
Anyway... I presume I can't ask you to reintroduce this bug ;D

Cheers!

[Jo-Erlend Schinstad (joerlend.schinstad-deactivatedaccount)]

I think all filters in all lenses should be multi-selectable. But it should be made consistent with all IconView-ish widgets in browse mode. That is, only select one icon at a time when left-clicking, but enable the user to select more by pressing ctrl or shift.

In this case, since there's no actions to perform, I think left clicking should select only one, but middle-clicking should add to the selection, and right-clicking should remove form it. That should make the GUI both more consistent with other software, and more comfortable when using a mouse.

[manny (estelar57)]

agree with #3

Also, another issue with multi-select is that everything gets mixed up , so you can't easily distinguish which individual category or selected filter an app belongs to.

submitted a bug:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/unity-lens-applications/+bug/941550

[Jeremie Tamburini (jeremie2)]

I agree with #3 too.

That could be the best solution.