I installed the new NetNewsWire beta; the ‘Combined View’ is very good. My wish list for this feature:
- An icon on the toolbar to allow you to change to this view easily (although I doubt I’ll leave it)
- An option to automagically collapse entries after they’ve been read
- An easier keyboard shortcut for collapsing all ‘read’ entries
- Make it the default view, it’s better than the 3 pane view
C’mon .NET RSS readers, hurry up and copy this feature so I can use it on the PC too.
UPDATE: One more thing for the wish list, I’d like the ‘Collapse Read Headlines’ keyboard shortcut to be enabled when I have selected a feed or folder in the ‘Subscriptions’ pane (focus is in that pane).
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Brent Simmons adds this Comment:
Thanks, Alex. A few replies:
About an icon on the toolbar: sounds like a good idea. The *only* hard part about that is the icon itself.
I’m considering an option to collapse entries when you leave a subscription.
I’ll definitely do an easier shortcut for collapsing all read items.
I won’t make it the default view, since most new users would find it confusing. Part of the deal with NetNewsWire is that it’s like an email app, you don’t really have much new stuff to learn when you try it. The Combined View might be off-putting for new users were it the default.
June 17th, 2003 at 5:43 pm
Alex adds this Comment:
Perhaps a drop down instead of an icon is more appropriate to change the view.
I don’t use the 3 pane view in email apps either (never have cared for it) so I missed that parallel. To me, it is a bit more clear becuase the title is connected to the content instead of in another pane. No biggie.
June 17th, 2003 at 7:51 pm
Alex adds this Comment:
one more thing… to me having the items collapsed is kind of the same thing as them turning from bold to normal in the headline pane as you read them. It is a visual confirmation that they are read. This being the case, I’d like to have them collapse when I move to the next item.
June 17th, 2003 at 7:53 pm
Brent Simmons adds this Comment:
I’m not sure a drop-down with just two items is quite right. An icon that changes state might be better. (It doesn’t even have to be in the toolbar, actually. It doesn’t have to be that large.)
Though you don’t use the three-pane view, millions of people do, and I have to think about them. If NetNewsWire is like Outlook, Mail, Mailsmith, Emailer, and on and on then it’s like something they already know how to use.
About collapsing unread items as you move away — I’ll consider it. It makes sense as an option.
June 17th, 2003 at 8:37 pm
Alex adds this Comment:
I know, I know - I feel bad for those poor suckers and their 3 pane views.
Thanks Brent, for taking the time to consider the ideas and come here and comment.
June 18th, 2003 at 8:20 am
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