67996 - [RFE] split preferences in different user levels

Status: VERIFIED DUPLICATE of bug 17199

(SeaMonkey :: Preferences, enhancement)

Description

[HJ]

I just read some articles about software in general. The most users are
complaining and where frustrated about the number of settings they never need,
at least the one that did complain. The more advanced users are complaining
about 'missing' settings! So there are at least two levels of users.

So I like to suggest to split preferences up in, lets say two for example, user
levels. This way all comment about difficult settings are history. You may even
want to protect the highest level with a password, so kids can't change settings
you don't like them to change at all. Images and cookies for example.

New setting, for more advanced users, can be 'hidden' for novice users. If they
like to use the more advanced settings, then they still can, after activating
those preferences.

Name could be: basic, medium and advanced level. or whatever you do prefer.

Most friendly, HJ (shoot, if this is a dup).

Comment 1

[Boris Zbarsky [:bzbarsky]]

I know mpt has something to say about this one...

Comment 2

[sairuh (rarely reading bugmail)]

->prefs

Comment 3

[Matthew T (active 1999-2002)]

Indeed.

User levels in prefs would:
*   discourage people from ever learning the options which exist above their
    perceived level, even if they would have been quite capable of using those
    options;
*   promote a feeling of inferiority amongst those who have to choose one of the
    lower levels in order to understand the prefs (the `For Dummies' effect);
*   give programmers an excuse to bloat the software with myriads of options;
*   make the categorization of the prefs much more awkward and non-intuitive than
    if they were arranged by topic.

I have seen this technique used in two places: in the Internet control panel on 
Mac OS, and in the `Advanced' tab of Mozilla/4.x's and /5.x's prefs dialog. It 
degrades usability in both cases.

Comment 4

[HJ]

no comment

Comment 5

[Peter Lairo]

i strongly feel that there should be some place where teakable settings should
reside. It could be a relatively inconspicuous place (where novices fear to
tread) like under "Advanced - Miscellaneous".

Frankly, I don't understand the concern about "overloading" the program with
options. What harm could option do? Especially when they are placed in an
inconspicuous place where nobody (ok, maybe a few lusers) will confuse them with
required settings - "Miscellaneous" is pretty clear!

Comment 6

[HJ]

Peter with all due respect, i personally don't like to degrade anybody, nor
should you.

Comment 7

[Peter Lairo]

OT: agreed (in part), and apologies to all "confused users" (for want of a
better term. I thought the term "lusers" was commonly used and understood by
most as to what is meant. But even though, a better (less hurtful) term should
be used. Do you have a better suggestion? How about: "confused users", "PC
impaired user" or "PC estranged user"? :)

OK, now let's get back to tackling this bug. It's important to us computer
geeks, err, I mean computer tinkerers ;)

Comment 8

[Boris Zbarsky [:bzbarsky]]

Peter, you made the same exact (somewhat inflammatory) comment on this and on
bug 68134.  You've also commented on bug 17199, so I presume you've read it.  It
seems to me that 17199 would provide exactly the level of "tweakability" you
want.  I suggest that this and 68134 be marked as duplicates of 17199.  Or that
this be marked wontfix and 68134 marked a dup of 17199.  And then we all work on
17199.

H-J, what do you think of 17199 as an alternative to the two level suggestion?

Comment 9

[Peter Lairo]

I agree, but only if bug 17199 is not limited to prefs.js settings.

Comment 10

[HJ]

For Boris:
On the first place, thanks Boris. And if the implementation for bug 17199 is
done right, then it might be helpful. I will make this a dup of that other bug,
and i will add my concerns to that bug, which are backed up by a recent user
poll by then. I only hope to protect my kids in a way. Also that bug is rather
old by now. And belief me, this is all about marketing and pushing mozilla
forward with an competitive edge.

I'm not looking to make mozilla bloated, because that's out of the question.
Powerful, Flexible and Customizable that's more like it. I'm also not looking
for tweaks, but i do like to know more about pref. setting in general. But
that's a completely different story.

For Matthew:
Matt, my comment was short, but that's just because i run into a long ammonia.
For now my computer time is limited, and you know, we all have our bad days.
Just bear with me Ok? 

Most friendly, HJ.

Comment 11

[HJ]

Hey, I did mark this as a dup, you may see that in that other bug! Also my
comment is inserted there!?

Comment 12

[HJ]

*** This bug has been marked as a duplicate of 17199 ***

Comment 13

[Matthew T (active 1999-2002)]

H-J, if you don't have a comment, don't say `no comment', just shut up. Bugzilla 
is not a chat room. Thankyou.

Verified duplicate.