509422 - [faceted search] need method to open found message in the containing folder location in which it resides

Status: RESOLVED DUPLICATE of bug 686851

(Thunderbird :: Search, enhancement)

Description

[Steve McMillen]

User-Agent:       Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; Intel Mac OS X 10.5; en-US; rv:1.9.1.3pre) Gecko/20090810 Shiretoko/3.5.3pre
Build Identifier: Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; Intel Mac OS X 10.5; en-US; rv:1.9.1.3pre) Gecko/20090809 Shredder/3.0b4pre

First, let me say, search is one of the most important features of a mail client.  This can be a very time consuming activity and ability to quickly pull up a discussion is *extremely* helpful in the business environment.

The new search across all folders field is really great!  Plus the ability to see group view in search results is really helpful in finding messages.  Thanks!!

But I have one ask: Provide ability to open a given message in the message list view.  Something like a "View in Message List" menu item in a popup or button in the search results.  Same ability any message reader window.

This allows someone to quickly see the message in context of the thread or the days messages. Adding this would be a huge plus to search.

Ideally this function (show in message list) would be available in two places:
- search results view
- message reading window

The later because sometimes you are in a message and want to see the entire thread.  For example, I use external search program (Spotlight in MacOS).  With Spotlight the message is opened from the Finder.  But I want to see the message in its context.  So in the message reader window, I'd like an option to "Show Message in message list".



Reproducible: Always

Steps to Reproduce:
See Details
Actual Results:  
See Details

Expected Results:  
See Details

Comment 1

[jopromail-mfg]

Let me add that I love the search capabilties, too. And I would like to be able to jump from a search result directly to the folder where the found message is located. I think that this was possible with older Thunderbird versions but not any since the new global search function.

Comment 2

[Wayne Mery (:wsmwk)]

(accurate subject I hope)

If I understand comment 0 correctly, you want to open a found message in it's original folder. Although it's not entirely clear to me whether you want this from the facet search results, or the "open as list" message list. 

this would be a logical next step to bug 522768.

Comment 3

[Thomas D. (:thomas8)]

Wayne, do we have a bug for "open containing folder" from "open as list" search results? I think this one talks about the first result page from faceted search, so that's different, and should be confirmed?

Comment 4

[Thomas D. (:thomas8)]

I like the ideas of this RFE, which is definitely going into the right direction. However, comment 0 is not very structured and not very clear, so I am not sure if this is actionable:

> ...sometimes you are in a message and want to see the entire thread. 
- This part of comment 0 seems to request an existing feature, "Open in Conversation" (Ctrl+Shift+O), which is available from messages in most, but not all types of search results

> the new search across all folders...
- We need "Show in message list" / "Open containing folder" (or whichever phrasing) as a contextual action for *all* types of search results, not just global search.

> Ideally this function (show in message list) would be available in two places:
> - search results view 
As mentioned in comment 2, it's not very clear if to which variant(s) of global search results this should apply: Faceted search results, Open as list, or both?

> - message reading window
This may or may not need a separate bug, of course adding "Open containing folder" or similar to the de-facto-contextual menu of "Other Actions" button on stand-alone message reader tabs/windows makes a lot of sense.

I filed Bug 686851 with a clearer description covering all types of search results: Implement "Open containing folder" contextual action for messages in search results (faceted search, open as list, search messages dialogue, saved searches) [Show found message in folder location]

I'd suggest duplicating this bug against bug 686851 (Alternativly, but not recommended for the reasons mentioned above, keep it as a dependent bug that covers the global search part of bug 686851).

Reporter (Steve McM.), since your ideas are covered in bug 686851, ok to duplicate this bug against bug 686851?

Comment 5

[Thomas D. (:thomas8)]

(In reply to Thomas D. from comment #4)

> Reporter (Steve McM.), since your ideas are covered in bug 686851, ok to
> duplicate this bug against bug 686851?

There are two small aspects (1) and (2) that may need followup bugs:

> > ...sometimes you are in a message and want to see the entire thread. 
> - This part of comment 0 seems to request an existing feature, "Open in
> Conversation" (Ctrl+Shift+O), which is available from messages in most, but
> not all types of search results

"Open in Conversation" is also available while reading a single message in a window or tab, from "Other Actions" contextual menu button.

It's not available from Faceted Search results (no context menu at all), and "Search Messages" dialogue results (no context menu at all, and no such action button).
(1) -> Adding "Open in Conversation" where it's missing should be filed as a followup bug.

> > - message reading window
> This may or may not need a separate bug, of course adding "Open containing
> folder" or similar to the de-facto-contextual menu of "Other Actions" button
> on stand-alone message reader tabs/windows makes a lot of sense.

(2) -> Needs a followup bug, I made a mental note for this in Bug 686851 Comment 1.

Comment 6

[Steve McMillen]

Yes, Bug 686851 does a great job of clearly stating this request and so I am fine with marking this bug as a dup of 686851.

Comment 7

[Thomas D. (:thomas8)]

(In reply to Steve McMillen from comment #6)
> Yes, Bug 686851 does a great job of clearly stating this request and so I am
> fine with marking this bug as a dup of 686851.

Thank you for swift reply!

-> duping; needs minor followups per comment 5