okfn/openspending — Issue #389: Improve usability of dimensions editor
Author: pudo
Created: 2012-01-30 20:03:13+00:00
State: open

The dimension editor is now workable by normal mortals but still requires some work to be more accessible to users not used to OLAP:

* Fields in validation warnings should link to the affected dimension.
* Checkboxes should be checkboxes.
* Don't have an option to set "facet" dimensions, "default_value".
* Need a way to rename and change the type of a dimension.
* Read-only screen when data is loaded still shows buttons at the bottom, but the "delete" link is now broken.
* Creating a new dimension should lead there.
* Right-hand listing should list dimensions, not columns. Column drop-down in dimensions should order by "used", "unused".
* All listings in the UI should be sorted alphabetically.
* Special status of "to", "from", "amount" and "time" should be highlighted to display their special meaning.
* Initial help text should be an overlay, not hide the entire editor.
* No need for "delete all dimensions" button.
* Need better+consistent lingo for: "unique dimensions", types of dimensions ("Multiple CSV" vs. "compound")
* Link to explanations of core concepts in documentation.
* Eventually remove "Advanced" editor and links to schema documentation.
* Provide and document write API.

On the tech side, the following issues exist:

* The code is auto-generated and messy from CoffeeScript and has been extended with lots of single-letter variable functions. We need to make this easier to read and maintain.
* Using the visual editor will discard extra options set in the JSON version.