Ubuntu Software Center

Why does the search field disappear in the application detail screen?

Asked by Michele Kipiel

A search box is a quite important UI element, as a professional UX designer I am puzzled by the behaviour of the search box in the software center: why does it disappear once the user reaches the application detail screen?

According to my experience it would be a good idea to keep the search box always accessible, for at least two reasons:
-the user won't be confused by changing UI
-the user willing to perform a search won't need to click the back arrow to be able to search

I hope this will be a userful idea for the development team.

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Gary Lasker (gary-lasker) said : 		#1

Hi Michele, and thank you for your question. In fact, it is on purpose and by design the the search field is hidden when viewing the details page for a package. Please see bug 828790 where the rationale for this is explained by the designer of the Ubuntu Software Center. I'll paste this here as well. Note that links to the relevant sections of the Ubuntu Software Center specification are included:

(The search field is not visible in the details view)... because the scope of the search would be undefined: it could be text in the software item screen itself, software items in the subcategory, the category, the Top Rated section, or everything.

<https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SoftwareCenter#navigation-bar: "The search field, visible for any searchable screen."
<https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SoftwareCenter#software-item-screen>: "A software item screen is not searchable."

I hope this answers your question, and thanks again!
Gary

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Michele Kipiel (michele-kipiel) said : 		#2

wouldn't it be better to place a label inside the search box? something like "Search the sofrware center" written in a light gray font, maybe? it would make the purpose of the search box immediately clear...

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Gary Lasker (gary-lasker) said : 		#3

Hi Michelle, do you feel the purpose of the search box is unclear? I know that Canonical has done extensive user testing with Ubuntu Software Center, and I don't think this particular issue has been flagged. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

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Michele Kipiel (michele-kipiel) said : 		#4

hi Gary,

the point is not the search box's purpose being unclear, it is a matter of consistency, in my opinion.
as a user i feel reassured to see that the upper part of the USC stays the same no matter where i am, that's all.

to double check my suggestion i did a quick benchmark, comparing USC to the mac app store and to google play, and i noticed that USC is the only store among the three where the search field disappears in the application detail screen.

you can find a PDF version of the benchmark at ths address:
http://ubuntuone.com/0lJS4toazrcSHstVvnFKfA
i hope you find it interesting.

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Gary Lasker (gary-lasker) said : 		#5

Hi Michele, and thanks again for your detailed info! Would you mind either converting this question to a bug (use the link just above the comment field), or open a new bug with your suggestion? This will help us to track and prioritize it for when we are planning UI enhancements for Ubuntu Sofware Center. Thanks very much for your help!

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