[xwiki-devs] [UX] Application Index

Hi, The problem is that the AppBar could be populated with lots of apps that might not be interesting for the user. Currently the AppBar acts like an AppIndex (for the apps that provide the panels.Applications UIX), while some users might expect it to act like a Favorites mechanism (the admin deciding what apps should be promoted there). Also the AppBar is not very scalable: having 50+ apps installed will be hard for an user to scroll in order to find his desired app. Trying to simplify the Appbar by removing apps from it, concludes that users might not be able to know if some apps are installed and available. The administrators have access to EM and AppBar configuration, but normal users don't. So it's normal to have the need of an "Application Index", just like we have for pages, users and wikis. Topics: 1. App Index page location 2. App Index launcher location 1. The first thing we should decide is where we should locate this App Index. Alternatives: 1.1 Main.AppIndex : consistent with Main.AllDocs and Main.UserDirectory, not consistent with WikiManager.WebHome. 1.2 Applications.WebHome: as a new top level space. In theory, other applications could use this space as parent. 1.3 AppWithinMinutes.AppIndex : as part of AWM, but the livetable should be extended to include all the apps UIX. The page will be included on the AWM.WebHome in addition with the ability to Create new AWM apps. 1.4 XWiki.InstalledApplications : as part of EM, but with rights visible for all users, not just Admins. It will list just apps, with the ability to 'Launch/Open/View' an app. 1.4 other? 2. App Index launcher could be placed: 2.1 in the Drawer with the rest of the Indexes 2.2 instead of the AppBar 'More applications' menu, as a link There are several aspects: A. EM lists for admins all the installed extensions, but they cannot see just the 'applications' installed on the wiki and launch them. We could create a filter to list just applications (InstalledApplications) and help the admin manage apps faster. If we were to move administrative actions inside an external AppIndex (outside of EM) it would duplicate/split EM functionality (Launch, Install, Delete, Add/Create, etc.) B. AWM allows you to create apps. For a simple user, he might not see the difference between what apps are created with AWM and which are not, and why should he care. For an user, an application is just an application. If we don't chooses 1.3 than the user might be confused why some apps are listed in AWM.WebHome, while others/all are listed in an external AppIndex (outside of AWM). C. If we transform AppBar into a Favorites, then we will need to move the UIXP to the Application Index. It's a bit strange that we are considering using a panel dedicated UIXP as a simple 'application descriptor'. There are many things to consider since AppBar, AWM and EM share applications definitions and we might want to remove duplication, but still allow both admins and users have access to information about apps. Let me know what you think. Thanks, Caty Related issues: - "Simplify the Appbar by removing some apps" http://jira.xwiki.org/browse/XWIKI-13433 - "Create an Application Index" http://jira.xwiki.org/browse/XWIKI-11423 - "Better differenciate the notion of Application inside XWiki" http://jira.xwiki.org/browse/XWIKI-7924