New Create Entries beta, round two

[denise]

The next code push will update the new Create Entries page in beta with a number of fixes for previously-reported bugs and enhancements. To make it easier to keep track, we're therefore opening up a new bug-reporting post (to avoid confusing things with bugs reported in the previous post).

When reporting bugs, please include:

* The browser name, browser version number, and operating system you're using
* The steps you took to reproduce the problem
* Whether or not you've tested the same steps in another browser (and if so, which)
* Whether you get the same result every time you try the same steps, or if it only happens sometimes

If we can't reproduce the problem under the same browser and operating system, we may also ask you for a list of any browser extensions you have installed.

Things that are still not yet implemented:

* the "don't autoformat" button
* the rich text editor
* editing existing entries (it will display the old form)
* draft posts of any type, including autosaving of entries

There are also still some issues with IE, especially in "privacy mode". Anything that requires Javascript is currently not working in IE in privacy mode, and we're trying to figure out if there's something we can do to fix that or if the settings of the browser override anything we can do.

Comments

[stormy]

The new changes make this updated create entries page very feasible for me to use it.

The Wonderful:
+ The higher post entry button.
+ The subtle background on the the modules.
+ The slightly lighter headers in each module.
+ Better spacing in each module for its contents.
+ The first post to button showing which community you're posting to.
+ Increased focus on design elements. The subtle shadow inset in each textarea when you use it, the inset headers with css shadows.
+ Beautiful transition when you select "another user".

The Dubious:
- No margin space in icon module between browse and random.
- No place to choose a community to post to. I had to go to the community page and pick to post to it.
- No margin space between spell check and post entry.
- Create poll would still look better as a button.
- Go to settings would look good as a button as well, perhaps a small ? icon image that would take you to your settings page. That's pretty universally accepted. Or reusing the settings wheel icon (maybe a smaller version) next to it.
- Still wondering how long usernames look in the POST AS: ()NAME ()ANOTHER USER section. Do long usernames drop the ()ANOTHER USER down to the second level?
- When posting to a community, and selecting 'another user', the post to button changes to a regular post, and the community doesn't clear. So we're still posting to the community, but it doesn't reflect it anymore in the post button.

Above all, it looks great fu, definitely a huge leap in the right direction. I could see myself using this.

[fu]

Thank you! I couldn't have done it without you :)

I'm looking into the others -- but re: the lack of a community dropdown, how are you getting the link to the entry page? I'm wondering if it's the difference between: http://www.dreamwidth.org/entry/new and http://www.dreamwidth.org/entry/stormy/new

[stormy]

You're perfectly welcome. Anything I can do to help~ ♥

Ah ha! That's it. I was using my current post layout on my journal, and it was http://www.dreamwidth.org/update.bml?usejournal=stormy so it forwarded to
http://www.dreamwidth.org/entry/new?usejournal=stormy.

http://www.dreamwidth.org/entry/new does in fact show a drop down to use other communities. Perhaps include that in all versions, just in case someone changes their mind about where they want to post to? If not, at least I know what was up now.

Edit:

This is sort of off subject, but I've always wondered how possible it would be to colorize or 'organize by status' the post to drop down menus.

For instance, if mine read:

stormy
community i moderate/own
community i moderate/own
community
community
community

as far as organization, or if the communities I moderate/own could show up in another color, matching to the site scheme or whatnot. Scanning down a long list to find a community I own when you're part of a lot of communities can start to drive you nuts after awhile. Just a drive by suggestion/thought.

[fu]

Huh that is an interesting idea. I don't think that color would work, because we're just using regular selects, but maybe an optgroup?

Example of communities grouped by Admin/Member.

It's a sufficiently big change that I feel like it might best go through the formal dw_suggestions process though!

[stormy]

Yeah, I didn't think the color would really work because not everyone might be able to see it, and it'd run into a lot of browser problems but oh man the organization on the example is so beautiful. That would be ideal, and so much easier when you're dealing with 50+ or even 20+ posting communities.

You're a genius!

[inoru_no_hoshi]

Drive-by late-comment-is-late, but yesssssssssss I wants that. ♥

[fu]

I've tweaked a bunch of spacing issues. Thank you again for all your feedback!

[stormy]

I officially might have no spacing complaints! It looks great! I did notice one tiny graphical blip, and that's all, but it could be intentional. I'm not sure. When you add tags to your entry and back out of the selection box - they appear in the tag box with rounded borders and a separated ( tag | x ) delete option. When you hover over the x, it's a very faint highlight (pink in Tropo Red), and you lose the borders at the top and bottom. If it's not intended, you just have to pop the borders in there. Also, a 2px border radius would probably make that look a little cleaner. Anything around 5px is really noticeable when you have text, and can get a bit squishy looking since the x highlight doesn't go all the way to the end, keeping the rounding minimal will probably look a little better?

[fu]

*squints* *tweaks*

At 2px, I was worried it looked exactly like the regular buttons (such as browse), but I've tweaked the padding and spacing so that the remove bit doesn't extend out of its borders any more -- or shouldn't be anyway!

(If it is, that's still a bug)

[stormy]

Looks perfect! ♥

I think I officially have no nitpicks.

[fu]

♥ It is a pleasure.

And hey, if any more nitpicks spring up, you know where I am *g*