Submitted by Armando on 2009/06/20 13:19
There have been some discussions in the past about that. It's a pretty important thing since it can really slow down the work flow... Some users complain that their arbitrary sorting (often done between 2 refresh, when sort filter is on) is often disrupted by a refresh.
 
At the moment arbitrary/manual sorting has to be done (and is recorded) when the sort filter is off. However, this is not always convenient. It would be nice to be able to save a particular sorting -- even when the sort filter is ON.
 
Here's my proposed solution :
 
  1. Using a special field for "arbitrary" sorting would be the solution, IMO. (The simple manual/arbitrary resorting of a bunch of items could recorded in a separate field -- like the # column, if it could be used as a "field").

     
  2. This field data could be used to recreate the arbitrary "sorting" when sort filter is turned off.
     
  3. The "sorting data" would be saved to this field  :
    1. Semi-automatically , when the sort filter is already ON or just turned ON
      ie : the "saving" of the manual/arbitrary sorting would be proposed to  the user (optionally) through a popup window when she hits "refresh" AND/OR when the sort filter is turned on or off  (to prevent the annihilation of the present item manual sorting)
       
    2. automatically  (everytime an item is moved) or manually (optional : shift-ctrl-s, or something) when filter sorting is off
       
What do you think?

Comments

Sounds OK to me. And thanks for the reinforced explanation of the existing behaviour, which isn't easy to grasp.
 
Mark Gregory, Rennes, France - GMT +1/+2; EST +6

Pierre, any feedback on that one ?
Is it clear or interesting enough to be added to mantis ?

Tom

2009/10/08 16:07

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[quote=Armando]
Pierre, any feedback on that one ?
Is it clear or interesting enough to be added to mantis ?
[/quote]
 
maybe you should add it to mantis so it doesnt get forgotten?
(It is a theme that needs to be addressed at some stage I think)
 

Armando

2009/10/08 18:38

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>It is a theme that needs to be addressed at some stage I think
 
Yes. Thanks Tom.
It was actually added a couple days after I asked for feedback : mantis issue # 754.
 
It's also part of "my" priority list.

sorting should be automated by grid property
 
--
Jan Rifkinson
Ridgefield CT USA
HP Blackbird Vista Ultimate SP-2

Armando

2009/10/08 20:00

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The problem is that there are many ways of sorting (alphabetically, dates, numbers, ......). These ways fall into 2-3 main categories  :
- manual (arbitrary)
- automated
- mix of both
 
And a user might want to mix these automated and manual sorting...
 
Usually, a writer wouldn't want any "purely automated" sorting.

jan_rifkinson

2009/10/09 07:41

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yes. When I re-read what I wrote, I see that I forgot to say optional.  I'd like to see it in grid properties so whatever kind of sorting user wants can be assigned & automated (by option) on a per grid basis. By not engaging this option, user will have to do it manually. Does this make sense?
 
--
Jan Rifkinson
Ridgefield CT USA
HP Blackbird Vista Ultimate SP-2