Filter stops working in specific use case
Environment
- Lollypop version: 1.4.12
- GTK+ version: not sure
- Operating system: Linux Mint 20 Ulyana, Mate edition
Bug
- The "finding filter" stops working after the 2nd search term. To reproduce, "find" something using the "filter" tool, and hit enter. It opens an item. Press the back arrow. Type a new filter term. Nothing happens. Happens with all left bar groups (albums, artists, etc.). Clicking a new left bar group makes it work again until you open the first object and "back" out of it. Probably a pretty simple boo-boo
Feature Observations
I know this is ticket creep into feature request territory, but please forgive me. Just wanted to share my observations from testing today. Do with the following as you wish.
-
The filter isn't really "filtering", it is "finding". "Filters" generally help isolate a subset of elements containing a common string, which is different from locating objects and iterating through them. Not sure if this is how it is truly designed and intended to be, but I would recommend moving to a standard "filter" functionality which hides non-matching elements from the view. Or rename the feature to "find", because that's exactly what it is now doing...
-
The filter is not indexed to other data fields. A common use case for many folks is to go to albums and type an artist name into the filter to isolate a subset. I am aware that one can do this by going first to artist, clicking them, and then seeing their albums, or using search, which is very nicely implemented. :) However under the "many UI roads to Rome" adage, providing more ways to flow through a UI is often preferred, and filters are a classic.
-
I recommend a "filter" UI button or visual hint to help mortals discover the feature, which is so vital for people with large music libraries. The only way I found out there was a filter feature at all was by searching the bug issue list here, where I found a closed ticket mentioning "Ctrl-I".
On the side, I want to compliment the "search" feature, as it is very nicely implemented. I would admit that the need for a strong filter tool is lower due to the powerful search feature.