Filer - reverse sorts

I’ve almost finished adding reverse sorts to the Filer. The only decision left to make, is how to handle the secondary sort, on the filename, that is used when sorting on Type/Size/Date.

At the moment I’ve set the secondary sort to be in reverse order as well, so that selecting reverse sort lists files in the complete opposite order of a non-reverse sort. It would however be very easy to have the secondary sort remain in normal, alphabetical order.

Before committing the changes to ROOL I’d like to gauge if there’s any preference for one over the other. So, if you do have a preference then do let me know. I’ll commit the code with the secondary sort set in the mode that gets the most votes.

My personal preference is to have it the complete opposite order of a non-reverse sort as you currently have it.

It seems more intuitive – to me at least.

Yup – agree that it should be a complete opposite sort

Don’t forget to update the Configure plug-in to allow this to be configured (assuming that’s sensible).

I disagree, I think the secondary sort should remain alphabetical. Just because you’re looking at files oldest first, doesn’t mean you suddenly want Zebra to come before Aardvark.

Don’t forget to update the Configure plug-in to allow this to be configured (assuming that’s sensible).

The Configure plug-in has already been updated, both for reverse sorts and for Doubleclick-and-hold (which I’ve made configurable).

I disagree, I think the secondary sort should remain alphabetical.

This is what Windows seems to be doing as well. I am, however, in agreement with Alan and Martin that a completely opposite sort is more intuitive.

It could be made a configurable option but at the moment the Filer only allows 8 bits to be used for lay-out options, and with reverse sort included 7 are already taken, so I’m a little hesitant to add another one. Maybe a future update could address this.

I don’t think you will see Zebra before Aardvark if you reverse order oldest first. This only happens if they have the exact same date/time. So I to think a reverse should be a complete opposite of the normal sort.

I agree it should be the complete opposite order. Will there be an option to toggle reverse sort in the filer menu? Something like:

http://wii.smoothartist.com/riscos/menumockup.png

Nice crystal ball you have there Michael. That exactly how it’s been implemented.

Fred’s changes are now in CVS. Please see Filer 2.22 and FilrSetup 0.15. Change details are here:

• http://preview.tinyurl.com/y9blylq
• http://preview.tinyurl.com/ybg5xaf

Fred’s configurable doubleclick-and-hold patch has also been integrated in two earlier patches which led to Filer 2.21 and FilrSetup 0.14. This and the reverse sort feature should be present in the forthcoming official RISC OS 5.15.

Fred, Good to see your improvements have been added to the sources.

Don’t want to come across a documenation nazi, but as you’ve made changes to the Filer and the configuration settings, I suppose there will need to be some amendments to the documenation on the ROOL wiki.

We don’t have the Filer SWIs uploaded yet, but the *Commands are, so these will need updating. Are you in a position to do this sometime, or would you rather I do it? I don’t mind, all I need is the relevant information.

I’d be more than happy to add documentation for the latest changes. My only question is, how to best add information that only applies to later versions of a component? It’s probably best to set up some guidelines for this to ensure that such information is added in a consistent way.

Gavin Wraith has created a page detailing the DoubleClick and Hold *Command.

It simply states that the command was introduced in RISC OS 5.16, which I think is sufficent, as this is the method used throughout the wiki.

What other *commands need documenting?

Wasn’t there a way to turn this functionality off? If that is done with the same command, for example by setting the parameter to 0, then maybe the documentation should say something about that?

Wasn’t there a way to turn this functionality off? If that is done with the same command, for example by setting the parameter to 0, then maybe the documentation should say something about that?

Correct on all counts. The page is now updated :)

Great, thanks! :) Should have checked myself and updated it myself, but my Iyonix was not in the neighbourhood. Bad excuse…