Enhancing Text References In Uwazi & Huridocs: A Side Panel Solution
Hey folks! Let's dive into a common challenge we face when working with text references in document management systems like Uwazi and Huridocs. I'm talking about the experience of navigating and understanding these references. Currently, when you click on a document icon within a text reference, you're whisked away from your current document view. This can be a real pain, especially when you're trying to quickly grasp the context of a reference. It disrupts your flow, and you lose your place. I'm going to propose a solution that I believe can significantly improve this. I'm suggesting we rethink how these text references are handled by integrating them into a side panel. This way, we can keep the context of the current document while still providing easy access to the referenced entities.
The Current Pain Point: Navigational Disruption
Let's be real, the current system isn't always user-friendly. When dealing with text references, the process of clicking on a document icon to view the referenced content often leads to losing your place and having to retrace your steps. This constant jumping back and forth can be exhausting and time-consuming. Imagine you're deep into reviewing a crucial document, and you encounter a text reference that you need to examine. With the current setup, clicking the icon means leaving the document you're focused on. You then need to locate the document you were working on, which takes time and distracts you from the core task at hand. This is not ideal, and it can be a major productivity killer. We want to avoid these navigational disruptions. The user experience should be smooth and intuitive. The goal is to make the process of exploring text references feel natural and seamless. Our aim is to ensure that the process of examining these references enhances, rather than hinders, the overall workflow.
To better illustrate the issue, picture this: You're in Uwazi, reviewing a report about human rights violations. You come across a text reference that points to a specific case file. Currently, clicking that icon takes you away from the report and opens the case file in a new tab or window. Now, you have to remember where you were in the report, find it again, and continue your work. This constant context switching can quickly lead to cognitive overload and reduce efficiency. The user experience should be seamless and intuitive. The goal is to make the process of exploring text references feel natural and seamless. We aim to ensure that the process of examining these references enhances, rather than hinders, the overall workflow. This side panel approach offers a much better solution for a streamlined and efficient process.
Side Panel Integration: A Solution for Better Context
My proposed solution is to integrate a side panel that displays the content of the target entity when you click on a text reference. Instead of navigating away from your current document view, the referenced document, entity, or whatever the reference points to would open in a side panel. This will keep the main document visible, allowing you to easily compare and contrast the information. This method helps maintain context. It's like having a helpful assistant always at your side, ready to provide the necessary information without disrupting your primary focus. This design ensures that users can quickly and efficiently access the information they need. It streamlines the process and allows for a more focused and productive review. This approach offers a much better solution for a streamlined and efficient process.
Imagine the same scenario as before: You're reviewing the report in Uwazi, encounter a text reference to the case file, and click it. Instead of opening in a new window, the case file's details appear in the side panel. You can now easily read the case file, compare the information with the report, and continue your work without losing your place. This improved workflow significantly enhances user productivity and reduces the mental burden associated with context switching. The side panel approach ensures that all related information is readily available and easily accessible.
This approach not only prevents navigational disruptions but also streamlines the workflow. It's all about making the process of exploring text references feel intuitive and natural. Users can quickly and efficiently access the information they need. This side panel solution offers a much more streamlined and efficient experience.
Enhanced User Experience
Implementing a side panel for text references significantly enhances the user experience by offering several key benefits. First and foremost, it preserves the user's context. By keeping the main document view intact, users can seamlessly transition between the document and the referenced entity without losing their place. This is a crucial improvement over the current system, where clicking on a reference often leads to a disruptive switch to a new tab or window. Imagine you're a human rights investigator examining a document that references several witness testimonies. With a side panel, you can quickly open each testimony, read it, and easily refer back to the original document, all within the same interface. This streamlined access makes the investigative process much more efficient and less frustrating.
Another significant advantage is the improved efficiency. Users can quickly access and compare related information without constant context switching. This reduces the cognitive load and allows for a more focused review. Let's say you're a lawyer reviewing a legal document that references various case precedents. The side panel allows you to quickly view those precedents, assess their relevance, and seamlessly return to the original document. This streamlined approach saves time and improves productivity. It reduces the number of steps required to access and analyze the information.
Finally, the side panel approach enhances overall usability by providing a more intuitive and user-friendly interface. The side panel can be designed to be easily accessible, with clear visual cues and intuitive navigation. This makes it easier for users to find and understand the referenced information. This side panel design enables users to navigate the system more effectively. With this approach, the user experience becomes more efficient, intuitive, and less disruptive. It is a win-win for everyone involved.