* New Pre-release: 6.1.2 - Show Media

[tatewise]

On my PC the new Show Media thumbnails are only slightly smaller than the Media Window thumbnails, and neither are readable as documents.

If my Property Box is NOT floating, then with old sheme I see no images at all, only the lefthand Media Window pane. Then each Media record must be clicked to reveal its large image on right. That is much the same clicks as new scheme (see below), and on return to Focus Window my floating Property Box has closed.

Both type of thumbnail can easily open the associated Media record to view a large version.
In new Show Media double-clicking a thumbnail opens a floating Media record;
In Media Window the large image constrained by righthand pane (which on a small screen is not very big), but clicking the Property Box icon at top opens a floating Media record. But that takes more mouse operations than new Show Media window.

So I am beginning to like this new option more an more.

[davidm_uk]

Personally, I'd prefer to open any media file directly in the native "player" that I've configured in Windows for that file type (jpg, tex, pdf, doc, etc), then just Alt-Tab back and forth between that screen and FH, rather than mess around trying to uncover and/or resize it so that I can read it in the FH viewer. This is particularly true for images of certificates, or images of pages from old records. I wish there were a config option in FH to set that as default (but it probably wouldn't get enough "Wish List" votes to get anywhere - so I haven't).

[ColeValleyGirl]

This has generated a lot of heat about the changes but (to my poor little brain) not a lot of light, so I decided to work through my most common workflows in version 6.0 and 6.1.2 in parallel to see what impact the changes would have *on me*.

Some caveats/preliminary comments.

1. Goodness knows whether I'm a typical FH user -- I doubt there is such a beast -- but I have been a user since version 2 and have had to/have chosen to change my working methods many times in that period as the programme has improved or at least evolved. Sometimes the changes have made me take stock of how I'm doing things and make improvements to my methods; other times, they've made me learn a new sequence of steps for doing something (when I've concluded my existing method is something I want to continue.)
2. I have strong views about 'best-practice' when entering data, and would like to see FH encourage this. Unfortunately lots of people have similarly strong views and not everyone agrees with me on what 'best-practice' is. So the best I can hope for is a flexible programme that allows me to implement my version of best-practice, allows others to implement/continue using their version, and also caters for those users who want to work as simply as possible and not worry about 'whether they're doing it right'. Perhaps in the unfathomable future when there's a universal consensus about best-practice, we can document the best way of working within FH to achieve that -- or maybe we should start a series of posts in the wiki about different workflows and their pros and cons, so that those people who are interested can understand all the options they could chose.
3. I'm not as a rule sensitive to the number of clicks it takes to do an operation, and won't mind if another click or three is introduced (as long as the result is less than 4-5ish). However, less is better in this regard as long as it doesn't result in confusion about what I'm doing at any particular step.
4. I wholeheartedly agree that the 'Source pane' in the property box should be renamed the 'Citation pane' and I shall refer to it as that in the rest of this post.
5. It is a very good thing that Calico Pie are doing as much as possible to entice FTM (and TMG) users to use FH -- IMO the bigger the user pool, the more secure the product's future and I for one will not be rushing to use an online tree product anytime soon. (If I get a vote on the next enticing feature to add for FTM users, pretty please Simon, can we have Source Templates?)


And now, onto the comparison of my workflows in 6.0 and 6.1.2.

(Note 1: there may be better ways of doing things in both versions, but these are the ways I use).
(Note 2: I use AS to speed up some of the data entry steps for the common source types, but the logical flow is the same.)

MAJOR DATA ENTRY WORKFLOW (Add a source, and cite it in support of various 'facts', with media attached to the source, citation and/or fact)

1. I create the Source using Add>Source. While in the Source property box, I use the Media tab to add media (Images or pdfsof the source) if these are available. (If I subsequently acquire images or pdfs for an existing source, I navigate to the Source property box via the Source record list, and add the images via the Media tab.).

Differences between 6.0 and 6.1.2: None.

2. I enable Automatic Source Citation using the source record just created. I tend *not* to enter the citation details in the automatic source citation pane. I mostly use Method 1 for recording sources, so most of the granular detail is in the source and doesn't need repeating in the citation; for the sources where I use Method 2 (e.g. GRO indices) the citation details differ for each fact so there's no point in entering them in the automatic source citation pane. Even if the source only supports a single fact, I do it this way for consistency.

Differences between 6.0 and 6.1.2: None.

3. I add each 'fact' that the source supports to the relevant individuals. The citation is automatically created and if necessary I enter 'Where within source' , 'text from source' and 'note' for each 'fact' in the Citation pane.

Differences between 6.0 and 6.1.2: None.

4. I may add 'Fact media' when creating the fact or subsequently. This will not be the image of a source but could be e.g. a photograph of where the event took place, or a link to a group photo of the attendees or some other relevant image. (Joey Bloggins was a clown in the circus and here's a photo of a poster for that circus, even though it doesn't name him and isn't dated). However, my most important use of this is to link to a pdf document explaining why I've concluded that this 'fact' is the 'correct' interpretation of the documentary sources I've consulted (a proof statement or proof argument, for those who are familiar with the terminology). Right click on the fact>Show Media>Add).

Differences between 6.0 and 6.1.2: None.

5. More rarely, I will add 'citation media', usually when creating the fact but the same steps apply if adding it subsequently. If, for example, a source is a book or a diary, images or pdfs of the whole thing are rarely relevant to a single fact. I will use Method 2 for recording a source, and attach an image/single pdf page extracted from the whole document to the citation. In 6.0 this was a real pain via the All tab; in 6.1.2 it's simple: Citation Pane>Show media>Add.

Differences between 6.0 and 6.1.2: Much easier in 6.1.2.

Overall conclusion for data entry: 6.1.2 wins.

Possible improvements: The window that comes up when you Show Media from the Citation pane quite clearly says "Citation media for...."so the 'Add' button should be interpreted as adding Citation media... but nobody ever reads window headers (a fact that makes UI developers weep sadly into their beverage of choice all over the world). Was there an option in 6.0 to Add source media from the citation pane? I can't immediately find it. Perhaps add the ability to choose Add Media to Source or Add Media to Citation in the Show media>Add dialog which will alert some users to the fact that there's a difference which may matter, and provide a new short-cut for users who always add media to Sources. And be consistent about this everywhere it's relevant (so on the Add media to Fact dialog, offer the full set of options).

VIEWING IMAGES ASSOCIATED WITH SOURCES, CITATIONS AND FACTS (FROM THE CONTEXT OF AN INDIVIDUAL)

1. To view the media linked to a Source:
In 6.0 [2 clicks] Show media from the Citation pane with the relevant source selected. Click on the arrow in a green circle to view the source in the application of my choice. The context for the individual is still visible in the property box.
In 6.1.2 [4 clicks, including one double-click] Show media from the Citation pane with the relevant source selected. Tick the option to include Source media (this is sticky, so you only need to do it once). Double click on the image you wish to view. Click on the arrow in a green circle to view the source in the application of my choice. The context for the individual is still visible in the property box.

Differences between 6.0 and 6.1.2: more clicks in 6.1.2 -- acceptable to me but not to others.

2. To view the media linked to a Citation:
In 6.0 [Innumerable clicks] Furtle around in the All tab of the property box.
In 6.1.2 [4 clicks, including one double-click] Show media from the Citation pane with the relevant source selected. Tick the option to include Source media if desired (this is sticky, so you only need to do it once); un-ticking it makes it easier to distinguish between source and citation media. Double click on the image you wish to view. Click on the arrow in a green circle to view the source in the application of my choice. The context for the individual is still visible in the property box.

Differences between 6.0 and 6.1.2: Much easier in 6.1.2.

3. To view the media linked to a Fact:
In 6.0 [5 clicks, including one double-click] Right click on the fact. Show Media. Double-click on the thumbnal. Click on the arrow in a green circle to view the source in the application of my choice. The context for the individual is still visible in the property box.
In 6.1.2 [5 clicks, including one double-click] Right click on the fact. Show Media. Double-click on the thumbnal. Click on the arrow in a green circle to view the source in the application of my choice. The context for the individual is still visible in the property box.

Differences between 6.0 and 6.1.2: None.

Overall conclusion for media viewing: 6.1.2 wins., unless you *only* use media linked to a source.

Possible improvements: Would it be sensible to have a visual differentiation when showing the various media linked to an entity (fact, citation, source) -- akin to the different colour dots for family events versus individual events. Then, you would be able to see where the item you're considering is linked in the data structure. Also, proving a direct option (right-click or a arrow in a green circle) to view a media file in the relevant viewer direct from a thumbnail might alleviate a lot of concerns.

[tatewise]

Helen, excellent, and I'm moving in your direction too!

BTW: In the Facts tab there is a Show Media button in the toolbar below, so you don't need to right-click and choose Show Media, but it is the same in 6.0 and 6.1.2.

In some scenarios, where the new Fact/Citation Media is still open floating above the Property Box, then 6.1.2 needs fewer clicks than 6.0.

In first Possible improvements: you mention "Add Media to Source or Add Media to Citation" but when I suggested that it was not liked by some - not entirely sure why.

In last Possible improvements: you mention "a visual differentiation" and I propsed a scheme similar to the Notes tab to achieve that. See Re: New Pre-release: 6.1.2 - Show Media Sat Jan 30, 2016 3:47 pm

davidm_uk the new Fact/Citation Media has a View button, one of whose options is to Open in Editor/Player

[NickiP]

Viewing Source Media in 6.1.2

There is another way which, if a slight modification was introduced by Calico Pie, which could reduce the number of clicks to view a media file in both the Source Record window and a native player down to 2 or 3 clicks.

At the moment:
1. Click "Go to Source Record" from within Source Citation Window (it remains next to the Show Media button)
2. Close the Yellow Show Citation Pane which says "Not Applicable"
3. Click Media Tab
4. Click green button to open in separate media player (or for that matter view it in the window itself)

If Calico Pie could configure the "Go to Source Record" button to close the yellow pane when the Source Record opens, it would then mean only two clicks to see the Media Record window and another click to open the media file in an external program. For me with a 15" laptop, the view of the media file in the Media Record window is not that large anyway, particularly if viewing full size images, so the green +/- buttons would have to be used to enlarge it anyway. As the media I have linked to Source Records is actually only a snippet of the original, most aren't that difficult to read without enlarging.

I appreciate that its still more than one click compared to 6.1.1 and earlier, but its still better than 4 or 5 clicks, which you still have to do if you wish to view the media in the Facts Show Media window.

As to my comments about perhaps replacing the "Go to Source Record" button with the original styled "Show Media" button, having been working with the "Go to Source Record" button this afternoon, I definitely don't want to see this disappear.

Show Citation

I suspect one of the reasons that Calico Pie have only added an "Add Media" button for Citations, rather than one which works with Source Records as well, may be down to trying to not confuse FTM users about which to actually use. Most established FH users who add Source Media manually will be familiar with the ways of doing it and, while I would like an Add Source Media button as well as an Add Citation Media button, the current configuration is the same as previously.

[tatewise]

NickiP, you can get to the media image quicker than that using the current V6.1.2 features as I explained a few postings ago.

1. Click the new Show Media button in Sources For pane.
2. In Citation Media... double-click any thumbnail to open Media record window.
3. Click green triangular button to open in separate media player (if necessary).

Because this does NOT switch away from the Individual Property Box the original Fact/Citation context is still on view.

Also if there is more than one Media linked to the Source, or you want to view Media of another Source, the new scheme requires even fewer clicks because the modeless Citation Media... window floats above the Property Box with all the thumbnails ready to click.

[LornaCraig]

Perhaps add the ability to choose Add Media to Source or Add Media to Citation in the Show media>Add dialog which will alert some users to the fact that there's a difference which may matter, and provide a new short-cut for users who always add media to Sources. And be consistent about this everywhere it's relevant (so on the Add media to Fact dialog, offer the full set of options).

Yes, it is the fact that at the moment there is little to "alert some users to the fact that there's a difference which may matter" that worries me. I don't like the fact that in 6.1.2 if you click Show Media in the yellow Source/Citation pane you can view both citation media and (optionally) Source media, but if you then click Add you can only add citation media. This is going to result in many users thinking it is a short cut to adding media to the Source, when it is not.

Would it be sensible to have a visual differentiation when showing the various media linked to an entity (fact, citation, source) -- akin to the different colour dots for family events versus individual events. Then, you would be able to see where the item you're considering is linked in the data structure.

Yes, it certainly needs something to distinguish the different categories of media. However it probably needs something more distinctive than the coloured dots for Family versus Individual events, as many users don't notice them (or may not have good colour vision). Mike's suggestion may be the way forward, although initially I though it was a bit 'over the top'.

[tatewise]

I have just spotted another feature of the new Show Media feature not mentioned in the New & Enhanced Features in 6.1.2 that has been requested by users in FHUG Forums.

If the Fact Media... window has ticked the Include Citation/Source Media options, then the Facts tab More column shows a Media icon wherever Media is attached (Fact, Citation, or Source record).

If either of the options are not ticked, then that type of attached Media does not trigger the Media icon.

The above feature impacts all Facts listed, regardless of which Fact is being shown in the Fact Media... window, and even if it is not open at all.

To complement that feature, and as requested by users in FHUG Forums, it would be REALLY useful if the Facts tab had a new More column with icons to indicate Source Citations, preferably showing how many.

It wold be neat if those More column icons were clickable buttons/links to open Witness, Notes, Media, Source dialogues.

[tatewise]

LornaCraig said; Mike's suggestion may be the way forward

Right on!!!

[NickWalker]

Personally, I'd prefer to open any media file directly in the native "player" that I've configured in Windows for that file type (jpg, tex, pdf, doc, etc), then just Alt-Tab back and forth between that screen and FH, rather than mess around trying to uncover and/or resize it so that I can read it in the FH viewer. This is particularly true for images of certificates, or images of pages from old records. I wish there were a config option in FH to set that as default (but it probably wouldn't get enough "Wish List" votes to get anywhere - so I haven't).

Yes I would like that option too.

On my PC the new Show Media thumbnails are only slightly smaller than the Media Window thumbnails, and neither are readable as documents.

If my Property Box is NOT floating, then with old scheme I see no images at all, only the lefthand Media Window pane. Then each Media record must be clicked to reveal its large image on right. That is much the same clicks as new scheme (see below), and on return to Focus Window my floating Property Box has closed.

Both type of thumbnail can easily open the associated Media record to view a large version.
In new Show Media double-clicking a thumbnail opens a floating Media record;
In Media Window the large image constrained by righthand pane (which on a small screen is not very big), but clicking the Property Box icon at top opens a floating Media record. But that takes more mouse operations than new Show Media window.

I accept this isn't so usable if you have a low resolution monitor. When I double-click the thumbnail in the new Citation Media window it shows it in an 'Edit Media Item' dialog. I can maximise that dialog and change the zoom to make it readable. However, the zoom level isn't retained for the next image I view, and the size of that dialog isn't retained when I next run Family Historian. If the zoom and size was retained then I'd find this additional double-click acceptable. As I've said before. I like this new dialogue and think its a good thing, I just don't like a work-flow I've been using for years to suddenly be made more time-consuming when it can be easily fixed by the developer.

[tatewise]

Yes, sorry Nick, I see now it is an Edit Media window, but that is probably more useful than a Media record window.

Here! Here! If we could get more window characteristics preserved, both within session, and from session to session, then an age old Wish List item or two would be fulfilled.

[NickiP]

NickiP, you can get to the media image quicker than that using the current V6.1.2 features as I explained a few postings ago.

1. Click the new Show Media button in Sources For pane.
2. In Citation Media... double-click any thumbnail to open Media record window.
3. Click green triangular button to open in separate media player (if necessary).

Because this does NOT switch away from the Individual Property Box the original Fact/Citation context is still on view.

Also if there is more than one Media linked to the Source, or you want to view Media of another Source, the new scheme requires even fewer clicks because the modeless Citation Media... window floats above the Property Box with all the thumbnails ready to click.

Mike I'm not using Citation Media, my point was if you select the "Go to Source Record" it will show the Source Record Media which is what was being discussed. It also obviously allows for any editing and, unlike the original Citation Show Media button, it is visible even if you have no media attached to the Source Record.

Your 3 points above are exactly how Facts Show Media has always worked and that is how I've always used it

I got the impression that Nick Walker wasn't happy with accesing the media via that option and so just made another suggestion.

In any case, what I outlined is also one way of adding media to Source Records, but it would be useful if the Show Citation yellow pane was closed when you click the "Go to Source Record" button because it causes an additional click to get to the Media Tab (as you have to close the "Show Citation" pane to access the Media tab) where the media could be added. You can't currently add Source Record media via the Show Citation window, something that we have all been discussing.

[tatewise]

NickiP, you are missing an important point. Although it is called Citation Media window, the tick option Include Source Media allows Source record Media to be included as thumbnails, and it is those you double-click. Did you actually try that? It opens an Edit Media window ready to edit the Media linked to the Source record. Did you see my posting Re: New Pre-release: 6.1.2 - Show Media Jan 31, 2016 3:30 pm?

The ability to Add new Media to a Source record via what is currently the Citation Media window is one of the extra features being dicussed, but with mixed support.

I tentatively proposed it in my Re: New Pre-release: 6.1.2 - Show Media Sat Jan 30, 2016 3:47 pm.

[LornaCraig]

NickiP said

but it would be useful if the Show Citation yellow pane was closed when you click the "Go to Source Record" button because it causes an additional click to get to the Media Tab (as you have to close the "Show Citation" pane to access the Media tab)

I am puzzled: why do you have to close the Source pane to access the media tab? (I assume it's the yellow Source pane you are referring to as the "Show citation" pane?) I leave it open all the time. I always work with the Property box docked, and the Source pane at the bottom of the Property box. Perhaps there is some odd behaviour with a different arrangement, but with my set up there is no problem accessing the media tab of the Property box for the Source record with the Source pane open and saying 'Not applicable'.