GNOME Bugzilla – Bug 792076
Set "Apply the same view to all folders" by default
Last modified: 2018-03-08 17:07:01 UTC
Created attachment 366119 [details] Preferences Dialog I believe that users would be happier if the application used one universal view by default. It's confusing where the setting is located or even that it exists at all, and honestly having to manually set the view on 30+ folders or multiple mail accounts is cumbersome, and a turnoff when the users time could be better spent emailing. I recommend and request that "apply the same view to all folders" be enabled by default.
Thanks for a bug report. I do not much agree, though changing the default value for new installs is pretty simple. The thing is that the current default state is more powerful than having the same view for all folders. The trick, which is not obvious on the first look, is to save the customized view as one of the existing views and then use that one in all other folders where the view should be applied. As the default view is Messages, saving as that one is a logical choice. Once you overwrite this view, all the folders using it will use the changes as well, which is what you want. As I said, I can change the default value of the "Apply the same view to all folders", though it'll influence new installations only. What do you think?
I think most advanced users are comfortable editing "App Preferences" and already know about the feature. I think most average or below average users are not comfortable editing "App Preferences" assuming they even know the feature exists at all. As a advanced computer user it was about 2 years of using mail clients on linux before I became aware of "apply the same view to all folders". The option is difficult to locate and understand what it does from the description. I am using Evolution in a real estate office with multiple users who are adults, grandparents, and middle age people, I feel that other linux mail clients simply lack the features to be used in this professional environment. Therefore, in my opinion I think for maximum benefit of both Basic and Advanced users that the "universal view" should be default. If not, I think at the very least it should be renamed and put #1 on the list or that the "General -> Message Display" should be broken out of "Mail Preferences" and put into a left hand area called "Interface" which should be #1 on the list. https://image.ibb.co/j3dHHR/Evolution_Apply_View_Upgrade_Suggestion.png What do you think would clarify and help newcomers the best?
It's questionable. Changing order may not always help and I'm pretty sure there could come other user claiming it's wrong for whatever reason. It's not possible to make things in a way which will satisfy really everyone. I changed the default for the option with the below change. I do not want to influence the stable version, thus only made in the development version. I also realized that when the user didn't change the value of the option yet, then it'll influence existing installations too, thus it's another argument why not to commit to the stable version. I'm afraid there will be surprised many users by this change. Created commit 5dd0702c9f in evo master (3.27.90+)
Created attachment 369457 [details] [review] evo patch for evolution; This is the missing migration code, to not change the behaviour for users whom never changed that value in the settings.
Review of attachment 369457 [details] [review]: ::: src/mail/e-mail-migrate.c @@ +486,3 @@ +/* The default value for this key changed from 'false' to 'true' in 3.27.90, + bug existing users can be affected by the change when they never changed bug -> but
(In reply to Michael Catanzaro from comment #5) > bug -> but Oops, thanks for finding it. (I guess I write 'bug' word much more often than 'but'.) Created commit 185712a128 in evo master (3.28.0+)