Rearrange Actions in Forum Threads and Reduce Print Actions

1 Initial Problem

Currently you can use the print option in several places. In the post overview and at each individual post.

During our LIMo project, we carried out several usability tests.

Results were:

• The area of further actions in the split buttons is often not seen.
• The need for a print function was questioned several times. 
• The amount of positions for those print options was criticised.

2 Conceptual Summary

The main objective of our requirements is to reduce complexity for the end user ('Otto Normal User').
We want to reduce clutter. Nevertheless, those who need a print function should be able to keep it.

• We want to abolish the 'Primary-Action-Splitt-Button' (not a part of KitchenSink) in the toolbar. See 
  This goes hand in hand with the fact that the action [mark all as read] and [print thread] should be accessible via standard buttons in toolbar next to view control(s).
  [Add posting] remains a primary button. (See Chapter 3.2.)

• The 'split button' (not a part of KitchenSink) will be removed. It will be replaced by (a1) a dedicated [Reply] button, (a2) a dedicated [Approve] button, (a3) a dedicated [Publish] button and (b) a separate action menu containing all other actions (Edit, Mark as Read|Unread, Delete, Censor)
  [Reply], [Approve] and [Publish] never appear at the same time.

• The Action [Print] on each posting will be removed. Printing is now only possible for the entire thread.

• We would like to make the print function optional. The preferred solution is to globally deactivate the print function in the administration for all forums.

3 User Interface Modifications

3.1 List of Affected Views

• Threads in Forum
• Administration » Repository and Objects » Forum

3.2 User Interface Details

3.2.1 Threads in Forum

3.2.2 Administration » Repository and Objects » Forum

Global solution for a setting "Enable print option". (Default is de-activated. On exisiting ILIAS-Systems this option is activated.)

3.3 New User Interface Concepts

None.

3.4 Accessibility Implications

None.

4 Technical Information

Nothing specific.

5 Privacy

Nothing specific.

6 Security

Nothing specific.

7 Contact

• Author of the Request: Samoila, Oliver [oliver.samoila] & Detemple, Konstanze [kdetemple]
• Maintainer: Jansen, Michael [mjansen]
• Implementation of the feature is done by: {The maintainer must add the name of the implementing developer.}

8 Funding

If you are interest in funding this feature, please add your name and institution to this list.

Technische Hochschule OWL

9 Discussion

Kunkel, Matthias [mkunkel], 15 SEP 2022: Please specify why this option is needed. Why shouldn't it be possible to get a print view of a forum thread. Printing the thread is possible anyway - it just looks sh**y without a proper print stylesheet...

Samoila, Oliver [oliver.samoila], 15 SEP 2022: Of course we can still say something about this.
The main goal is to reduce complexity for the end user ('Otto-Normal-User')
We want to reduce clutter. Those who have a need for such a function should be able to keep it.

JourFixe, ILIAS [jourfixe], 19 SEP 2022 : We discussed if cannot abandon the print option in general, make "Read all" as a distinct button and change the primary split button to a simple primary button. Idea will be discussed with maintainer. Final suggestion will be presented on an upcoming JF.

JourFixe, ILIAS [jourfixe], 31 OCT 2022 : Thanks for updating the feature request. We highly appreciate this suggestion and schedule the feature for ILIAS 9. "Add Posting" should only be a Primary Button when the thread is empty.

10 Implementation

Implementation has been done as described above.

All functions in the toolbar that are not required in certain UseCases are hidden accordingly in order to improve user guidance.

This was not possible for "mark all as read", as it would have performance implications.

Test Cases

Test cases edited 2022-01-16 by Samoila, Oliver [oliver.samoila].

• #5267 : Forenthema drucken
• #31886 : Ansicht des Themas: View Control
• #5293 : Ansicht ändern in "Nach Beiträge sortieren" / Auf vorherigen Beitrag antworten
• #5294 : Ansicht ändern in "Nach Datum sortieren" / Auf vorherigen Beitrag antworten https://testrail.ilias.de/index.php?/cases/view/5294
• #5295 : Ansicht ändern in "Nach Beiträge sortieren" / Neuer Beitrag
• #5296 : Ansicht ändern in "Nach Datum sortieren" / Neuer Beitrag
• #5230 : Forenbeiträge freischalten

Approval

Approved at 2023-03-24 by Fischer, Yvonne [yvonne.fischer].