GNOME Bugzilla – Bug 546418
Should File -> Work Offline be a checkbox?
Last modified: 2012-02-08 14:51:17 UTC
In the File menu, in order to go into offline mode, you press the entry called "Work Offline". Suddently this label changes it's name and icon though, so when you want to connect again, you are presented with a entry called "Work Online" This should probably be a checkbox, like it is in Epiphany and Firefox. [ ] Work Offline
I'm not sure. Checkboxes are fine for showing state, but this menu entry is worded as an action. I'd be more comfortable with a checkbox if the label were changed to something like "Offline Mode".
If this is meant as a global online/offline control, I suggest leaving that up to NetworkManager, and not having any interface for it in Evolution itself. On the other hand, it might be useful to have some accounts online while others are not (to prevent Evolution from trying to access your personal e-mail account while at the office, for example). In that case it could be an "Accounts" submenu, with a checkbox item for each account.
(In reply to comment #2) > If this is meant as a global online/offline control, I suggest leaving that up > to NetworkManager, and not having any interface for it in Evolution itself. The use case for a separate online/offline control is to be able to forcibly synchronize your local data with remote server(s) before actually disconnecting from a network. Say for example you're about to take a long flight and want to read your email during the flight. You'd want to synchronize your local data by putting Evolution into offline mode before boarding. We distinguish between a user /requesting/ to go offline and being forced offline by NetworkManager due to a network outage or some such. > On the other hand, it might be useful to have some accounts online while others > are not (to prevent Evolution from trying to access your personal e-mail > account while at the office, for example). In that case it could be an > "Accounts" submenu, with a checkbox item for each account. Disabling your personal account would kinda cover this, but it's an interesting suggestion. But I think we'd still want a master online/offline switch.
(In reply to comment #1) But it seems like the checkboxes in the Evolution Preference dialog are worded as actions as well (ie. "use the same fonts as other applications", "mark messages as read..."), so I assume it should be ok. On the other hand: http://library.gnome.org/devel/hig-book/stable/controls-check-boxes.html.en "Do not initiate an action when the user clicks a check box. However, if used in an instant-apply property or preference window, update the setting represented by the check box immediately." Is going offline initiating an action? MPT?
To clarify, I meant to say "checkboxes in a menu are fine for showing state..." ^^^^^^^^^ > Is going offline initiating an action? It can be. Going offline can be a lengthy process if the user chooses to first synchronize his accounts with remote servers. We ask each time offline mode is requested. (And I just noticed the dialog doesn't provide a Cancel button.) If the user chooses /not/ to synchronize, or if NetworkManager tells us someone just tripped over a cable, then offline mode is instantaneous.
A useful assumption is that any alert -- and especially a question or confirmation alert -- indicates something that needs improving. Here, choosing "Work Offline" brings up an alert asking you whether you want to synchronize. If, with the advent of NetworkManager, the only use case for the current offline function is "to be able to forcibly synchronize your local data with remote server(s)", then one solution would be to turn the menu item into a "Synchronize All Accounts" command.
Clarifying summary...
*** Bug 402781 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***
I don't think we'll even have a Work Offline option much longer, and I still agree with what I wrote in comment #1. Closing as WONTFIX.