[Gvsig_english] 12 Suggestions to Improve gvSIG Usability

[Simon Cropper]

Kevin

On 11/02/11 05:23, Kevin Wells wrote:

[snip]

> 1. Eliminate the bouncing that occurs when toolbars are turned on and
> off.

+1, particularly bouncy when editing a shapefile and the command window 
appears.

> 2. Make the views, tables, and maps ready to use when they are first
> created by having them larger and near the center.

+1, the other issue here is the 'hot-spot' to grab the bottom right 
corner is relatively small and at times attempts to grab it results in 
the background being selected and the window you were trying to select 
disappearing.

> 3. When gvSIG starts have a view open and the program immediately ready
> to add data.

Not sure about this. New projects require some level of setup prior to 
data adding new spatial data.

It would be good however if the software opened to a dialog giving you 
the option of (a) starting recent projects, (b) open a new project, and 
even (c) open a new project with view open.

> 4. Have some visual space around a layer after using *zoom to layer*.

+1 to infinity. I agree with this completely and have voiced my desires 
on this list before. The user should be able to set a buffer distance, 
as you suggested, in the preferences section.

[snip]

> 6. After adding an element to a map have the cursor automatically
> change to the *select by rectangle* arrow.

-1. Don't agree. My preference is the tool you have selected remains 
selected until you unselect it. At present, tools regularly loose focus 
between operations, especially when you add new elements, resulting in 
users having to reselect a tool immediately prior to using it.

[snip]

> 10. Have a much smaller command line area when editing mode is started.

I don't have a particular issue with the size of the command line but it 
appearing and disappearing when editing a file is distracting as the 
whole view jumps.

My preference would be to have the command line appear in a separate 
window, disassociated from the main program. Something like a terminal 
window in Linux.

> Many users do not use the command line for edits.

I curious, how do you know this?

> 11. Have a view or map immediately open after it is created. This
> reduces to one the number of clicks needed to create and open a map or
> view.

+1

> 12. Have the default names given to views and maps be *View* and *Map*
> instead of *Untitled*.

Personally I think the whole project manager needs an overhaul. View and 
map lists should provide more information in the list available. For 
example what projection the view is, when it was created, etc. at least 
that data that is contained in the properties box.


Good list Kevin. Hopefully some of these requests may be addressed 
before version 2 is released.

Cheers Simon

Simon Cropper
Principal Consultant
Botanicus Australia Pty Ltd
PO Box 160, Sunshine, VIC
W: www.botanicusaustralia.com.au