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Something that has been seen more and more frequently in linux is the addition of the breadcrumb nagivation in applications. Dolphin has this feature, as well as Amarok, and many of the new Software Centers as well. My idea is to integrate a breadcrumb navigation at the top of every system settings window.

-Provide a breadcrumb hierarchy for all of the configuration dialogs.
-Even if you open a standalone KCM (Kconfig Module) window, the window would include a breadcrumb navigation on top that would allow you to easily click and navigate to a different control module.
-Make currently standalone configuration dialogs tied into the central system settings.











This idea was originally posted on my blog.
http://bsmith1012.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-kde-ideas-breadcrumb-navigation-for.html

I like it a lot. It makes sene to have a location as such. People see where they are and can step back easily. And when doing something in the module launched separetely what is as well accessible from System Setting, you could see the path where it is in system settings, like the wallpaper module...

As well helpers can make it easier to write docs, when they can go to target and see a full path, without writing every path name before opening the final location where wanted setting is...

I don't think a breadcrumb bar makes sense here.

The systemsettings pages hierarchy is not like a file system hierarchy. It is very flat.

All pages are either directly below the overview page in the hierarchy, e.g.
Overview >> Desktop Effects
Overview >> Printer Configuration,
or part of a "group page" that introduces one additional hierarchy level, e.g.
Overview >> Workspace Appearance >> Window Decorations.

Even in the latter case, the "group page" (in the given example: "Workspace Appearance") isn't really a page of it's own, but rather just shows the first of it's sub-pages when you navigate to it. And you can just as easily switch to that using the sidebar on the left within the group page.

The only useful part of the breadcrumb bar would be the link back to the "Overview" page - and that already exists, in the form of a button.

It can be really useful and ergonomic. It avoid the user to be lost and he would be able to go back wherever he wants just by clicking on the different sections in the breadcrumb : +1

david

It can be really useful and ergonomic. It avoid the user to be lost and he would be able to go back wherever he wants just by clicking on the different sections in the breadcrumb

Well, but where exactly would he "go" if he clicked on it?

Look at this:

Overview >> Workspace Appearance >> Window Decorations

What do you expect to happen when you click "Workspace Appearance" in the breadcrumb bar?
There is no stand-alone "Workspace Appearance" page!

The only parent page to go back to is the overview page.

interesting point of view, moreover, the GUI's are implemented to not have too much subleveled options.

smls wrote:

It can be really useful and ergonomic. It avoid the user to be lost and he would be able to go back wherever he wants just by clicking on the different sections in the breadcrumb

Well, but where exactly would he "go" if he clicked on it?

Look at this:

Overview >> Workspace Appearance >> Window Decorations

What do you expect to happen when you click "Workspace Appearance" in the breadcrumb bar?
There is no stand-alone "Workspace Appearance" page!

The only parent page to go back to is the overview page.

you're taking the mockups wayyy too literally. The breadcrumb navigation by itself should be the main argument and discussion point, not some small problems with the hierarchy of the mockups. It could have two levels, three levels, or whatever. Currently personal settings are limited to just two levels because the "Overview" button can only go back to the main, but its possible to extend this with the breadcrumb. The breadcrumb is both a navigation tool as well as a titlebar showing your location. And personal settings could tie in with other settings configurations such as the desktop settings, maybe activities settings, etc.. Either way it helps the user.

smls wrote:

It can be really useful and ergonomic. It avoid the user to be lost and he would be able to go back wherever he wants just by clicking on the different sections in the breadcrumb

Well, but where exactly would he "go" if he clicked on it?

Look at this:

Overview >> Workspace Appearance >> Window Decorations


What do you expect to happen when you click "Workspace Appearance" in the breadcrumb bar?
There is no stand-alone "Workspace Appearance" page!

The only parent page to go back to is the overview page.

Workspace Appearance, Application Appearance, etc. are sub-categories of Common Appearance and Behavior, and Workspace Appearance and Behavior. If you click on them in the breadcrumb then you would just do the same thing as when you click on them in the Tree-view: show links to each of the sub-items in that category.