improve the Upload a new icon thingy

[szabgab]

Title:
improve the Upload a new icon thingy

Area:
icons

Summary:
Better error messages better newbie freindliness

Description:
This was the first time I tried to add an icon. I was writing a post and clicked on the link where the icon should be (sorry, I don't remember the text and I have an icon already).

I got the form that I think did not tell me the size limitations. It should tell me up-front.
Better yet (or in addition) it should allow me to crop and resize the image.

I filled in the URL as I found an image on the Internet, filled in the rest of the form and clicked "Proceed".

I seemed to get back to the empty form without a visible error message. Later I saw the error message "You must choose a file to upload" but it was not obvious at first (black text on red background) and it did not explain the problem.

The problem was that I did not change the radio button to From URL". The form should notice that I filled the URL field and not the file field and "do the right thing" (tm) or at least tell me in a nice error message that I need to explicitly say I am uploading from a URL.


Finally, no matter what, please don't remove my precious text from the input box in case of an error!


Oh an I don't know how to get back to the icons now as there is no "Manage icons" link in the "Organize" drop down list. Oh found it, it is under Create/Upload Icons.

Poll #1147 improve the Upload a new icon thingy

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 22

View Respondents

This suggestion:

View Answers

Should be implemented as-is.
7 (31.8%)

Should be implemented with changes. (please comment)
4 (18.2%)

Shouldn't be implemented.
3 (13.6%)

(I have no opinion)
7 (31.8%)

(Other: please comment)
1 (4.5%)

Comments

[instantramen]

I deleted and re-uploaded one of my icons since all my slots were full, and there is an "about icons" link on the icon upload form, but it should be made at least a little larger because I almost didn't notice it. Otherwise I am down with this suggestion.

[triadruid]

It's big enough for me (in FF3.5), but the link color is really similar to the background of my color scheme (#888833 vs. #EEEECC). That would certainly help.

[syderia]

I agree that the icons upload form should be overhauled, but it might be an even bigger change than the one suggested.

I'm thinking of something like the photobucket upload interface, in which you first upload the files and then get a page with all your pics and the options to add tags/titles and description.
I don't do how do-able it would be though.

[msilverstar]

Re-thinking the icon management is really worth doing. I think this report is great, too: very much what experienced users ignore or do automatically.