CrafterCMS: Consistent Save Notifications For Content Types

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CrafterCMS: Consistent Save Notifications for Content Types

Hey guys! Let's dive into a little snag we've found in CrafterCMS and how we can smooth things out for a better user experience. Specifically, we're talking about how content types are saved and the notifications that pop up. Currently, the FE2 type modeller throws up a dialog box when you save, which, let's be honest, feels a bit clunky compared to the rest of the 4.x UI. The goal here is to bring everything in line and make the save experience consistent across the board by using snack notifications, just like other save actions in the system.

The Issue: Dialog Boxes vs. Snack Notifications

So, what's the big deal? Well, in the grand scheme of things, it's all about user experience (UX). When you're working in a system, you expect certain things to behave in a certain way. It's like driving a car – you expect the steering wheel to be in the same place and work the same way every time you get behind the wheel. In CrafterCMS 4.x, most save actions use these neat little snack notifications that pop up briefly to let you know your changes have been saved. They're unobtrusive, informative, and don't interrupt your workflow. However, the FE2 type modeller still uses a dialog box, which is a bit more intrusive and requires you to click it away. This inconsistency can be jarring and make the system feel less polished.

Why Consistency Matters

Consistency is key to good UX. When things behave consistently, users can predict what will happen and develop a sense of trust in the system. This, in turn, makes them more efficient and reduces frustration. Think about it: if you had to learn a new way to save every time you worked with a different type of content, you'd probably get pretty annoyed, right? By using snack notifications for all save actions, we create a more cohesive and user-friendly experience.

The Current Workflow

Currently, when a user saves a content type using the FE2 type modeller, a dialog box appears. This dialog box typically displays a message confirming that the content type has been saved successfully. While this provides feedback to the user, it disrupts the workflow because the user has to manually close the dialog box before continuing their work. This might seem like a minor inconvenience, but these small interruptions can add up over time and impact overall productivity.

The Desired Workflow

Instead of a dialog box, we want to implement snack notifications. A snack notification is a small, temporary message that appears at the bottom of the screen (or another designated area) to provide feedback to the user without requiring any action on their part. The snack notification would appear briefly after the user clicks the "Save" button, confirming that the content type has been saved. After a few seconds, the snack notification would automatically disappear, allowing the user to continue working without interruption. This approach is more subtle and less disruptive, aligning with the UX of other save actions in CrafterCMS 4.x.

The Solution: Snack Notifications to the Rescue!

So, the solution is pretty straightforward: we need to ditch the dialog box in the FE2 type modeller and replace it with a snack notification. This will bring the save experience in line with the rest of the system and provide a more consistent and user-friendly experience.

How to Implement the Change

Implementing this change involves a few key steps:

  1. Identify the Code: First, we need to pinpoint the code responsible for displaying the dialog box when a content type is saved in the FE2 type modeller.
  2. Remove the Dialog Box: Once we've found the code, we need to remove it. This might involve deleting the code entirely or commenting it out.
  3. Implement the Snack Notification: Next, we need to add the code that displays the snack notification. This will likely involve using a JavaScript library or framework that provides snack notification functionality. We'll need to ensure that the snack notification displays the appropriate message (e.g., "Content type saved successfully") and disappears automatically after a few seconds.
  4. Test Thoroughly: Finally, we need to test the change thoroughly to ensure that the snack notification works as expected and doesn't introduce any new issues.

Benefits of Using Snack Notifications

  • Unobtrusive: Snack notifications don't interrupt the user's workflow, allowing them to continue working without having to dismiss a dialog box.
  • Informative: Snack notifications provide clear and concise feedback to the user, confirming that their changes have been saved.
  • Consistent: Using snack notifications for all save actions creates a more consistent and predictable user experience.
  • Modern: Snack notifications are a modern UI element that aligns with current design trends.

Why This Matters: A Consistent UX

At the end of the day, this is all about creating a better experience for users of CrafterCMS. A consistent UX is crucial for making a system feel polished, professional, and easy to use. By using snack notifications for all save actions, we can eliminate a small but significant inconsistency and make the system feel more cohesive.

The Impact on Users

The change from dialog boxes to snack notifications may seem small, but it can have a significant impact on users. Here’s how:

  • Reduced Frustration: Users will no longer have to deal with annoying dialog boxes that interrupt their workflow.
  • Increased Efficiency: Users will be able to save content types more quickly and easily, without having to click away a dialog box.
  • Improved User Satisfaction: A more consistent and user-friendly experience will lead to greater user satisfaction.

Long-Term Benefits

In the long run, a consistent UX can also lead to other benefits, such as:

  • Reduced Training Costs: When a system is easy to use, users require less training.
  • Increased Adoption: A user-friendly system is more likely to be adopted by users.
  • Improved Brand Image: A polished and professional system can improve a company's brand image.

Conclusion: Let's Make It Happen!

So, there you have it! A small change, but one that can make a big difference in the overall user experience of CrafterCMS. By replacing the dialog box in the FE2 type modeller with a snack notification, we can create a more consistent, user-friendly, and modern system. Let's get this implemented and make CrafterCMS even better!

By ensuring that the save content type uses the same snack notification as other save actions in the system, we contribute to a more unified and intuitive user experience. This consistency not only enhances usability but also reflects a commitment to quality and attention to detail in the design and development of CrafterCMS.

So, what do you think? Are you on board with this change? Let's make it happen and give our users the best possible experience with CrafterCMS!

In summary, switching to snack notifications for saving content types in CrafterCMS promotes a consistent and improved user experience. This adjustment aligns the FE2 type modeller with the established UX patterns in the 4.x UI, reducing user frustration and enhancing overall system usability. By implementing this change, we reinforce CrafterCMS's commitment to quality and user-centric design.