Plugin preferences tab

gomedia · 2009-02-13 11:45:49

Some plugins use a whole extension tab for very little. For example upm_image has a tab for setting “Auto-load JavaScript?”, cnk_section_tree has a tab for “Install/Deinstall”, rss_unlimited_categories for “Select List Size”. (Note that I’m not picking on anybody here, I’ll need to do it one day as well). At the moment they all have their own individual tab under Extensions.

Here’s an idea to maybe reduce the crowding under Extensions. How about a plugin preferences tab that would contain a whole series of plugin settings each with its own “Save” button. I guess the plugins would use some form of callback to insert their bit into the standard tab.

Of course, plugins that require more room could still create their own tabs as they currently do.

Bloke · 2009-02-13 11:58:27

Nice idea. If the event/step model can be worked out so the save buttons perform as you describe, it’s a winner imo. Or even just one Save button that saves all settings — since you only tend to update one plugin at once, all the other settings will remain the same anyway. Or a save button under/next to each plugin that performs the same save step; really only for convenience to save scrolling to the bottom than any other reason?

I concur the Extensions tab is getting mighty crowded on some installs, and a few of the tabs only have a handful of prefs on them (ign_password_protect for example). Also, mem_self_register could be moved from the bottom of Admin->Advanced Prefs to its own place in Admin->Plugin Prefs. Though I do think the rvm_css pref is nice where it is because it fits with the flow of the page and is related to the other prefs.

I’d use the tab for sure on some of my small-prefs plugins. I wonder how many authors will use a “position” other than 1 when defining the order the prefs appear on the page :-)

Last edited by Bloke (2009-02-13 11:59:17)

maniqui · 2009-02-13 12:10:10

Interesting.
I would go for just one save button per plugin (similar to Sections tab). Looks less prone to undesired/unnoticed changes/errors.

About the order: I think it will be better to use alphabetical order, similar to the Plugins tab.
And will be nice to have a TOC of anchor links at top, so it’s easy to find out the set of plugin preferences you are looking for.

redbot · 2009-02-13 12:30:57

I agree. Where do you think this ‘plugin preferences tab’ should go?
IMHO it should be under the extensions tab.

gomedia · 2009-02-13 12:40:08

redbot wrote:

I agree. Where do you think this ‘plugin preferences tab’ should go?
IMHO it should be under the extensions tab.

But if it’s core TXP it can go where it likes? cough..Admin..cough Who said that?

Bloke · 2009-02-13 12:44:54

redbot wrote:

I agree. Where do you think this ‘plugin preferences tab’ should go?

Like Adi, I was thinking under Preferences as a 3rd entry:

Basic  Advanced  Plugin  Language

(or something – ‘Plugin’ might confuse people)

Last edited by Bloke (2009-02-13 12:46:30)

redbot · 2009-02-13 13:26:20

Ah ok, no problem.
I thought to “extensions” just for lazyness, because for sure I’ll forget wich plugins have a tab under “extensions” and wich not.

Last edited by redbot (2009-02-13 13:30:49)

Mary · 2009-02-13 21:02:31

This would be very nice.

colak · 2009-02-14 07:37:07

Shouldn’t this thread be moved to the Plugin developers’ wish list?

Mary · 2009-02-14 07:46:04

Yep.

I actually picture this as a kind of extension of the existing plugins tab (yes, it could be done without actually enabling plugins on the plugins page and be somewhat simple to implement):

You define in your setup file whether your plugin has prefs. Say something like:

$plugin['preferences'] = 'upm_my_plugin'; // _prefs will get appended

Where upm_my_plugin_prefs is a kind of callback function, looks like:

function upm_my_plugin_prefs()
{
 // handle plugin prefs	
}

Then in the plugins tab, next to your plugin is a “Preferences” link. The above would make it link to something like textpattern/index.php?event=plugins&step=preferences&plugin=upm_my_plugin where the above function is called.

Last edited by Mary (2009-02-14 07:51:56)

wet · 2009-02-16 13:56:47

Like so?

Mary · 2009-02-16 14:17:43

Yeah, like that. :)

Textpattern CMS

Textpattern CMS support forum

#1 2009-02-13 11:45:49

Plugin preferences tab

#2 2009-02-13 11:58:27

Re: Plugin preferences tab

#3 2009-02-13 12:10:10

Re: Plugin preferences tab

#4 2009-02-13 12:30:57

Re: Plugin preferences tab

#5 2009-02-13 12:40:08

Re: Plugin preferences tab

#6 2009-02-13 12:44:54

Re: Plugin preferences tab

#7 2009-02-13 13:26:20

Re: Plugin preferences tab

#8 2009-02-13 21:02:31

Re: Plugin preferences tab

#9 2009-02-14 07:37:07

Re: Plugin preferences tab

#10 2009-02-14 07:46:04

Re: Plugin preferences tab

#11 2009-02-16 13:56:47

Re: Plugin preferences tab

#12 2009-02-16 14:17:43

Re: Plugin preferences tab

Board footer