Unifying Phrases Separate Multiple Items In WoltLab Suite

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Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into a crucial aspect of WoltLab Suite's user experience: consistency in language. Specifically, we're tackling the phrases used to instruct users on how to separate multiple items, such as usernames, tags, or keywords. This might seem like a small detail, but consistent language is key to a user-friendly interface. When instructions are worded differently across various sections of the platform, it can lead to confusion and a less polished experience. So, let's get started on unifying these phrases and making WoltLab Suite even better!

The Issue: Inconsistent Phrasing

Currently, WoltLab Suite uses a mix of phrases like "Separate multiple... with a comma," "Separate multiple... by commas," and "Multiple... have to separated by commas." While all these phrases convey the same basic instruction – use commas to separate items – the inconsistency can be jarring for users. Imagine you're adding participants to a conversation and you're told to "Separate multiple users with a comma," but then when you're adding tags to a blog post, the instruction is "Separate multiple tags by commas." It's the same action, but the different wording can make it feel more complicated than it needs to be.

This inconsistency not only affects the user experience but also impacts the overall professionalism of the platform. A unified and consistent voice across the suite gives a sense of polish and attention to detail.

The Goal: Clarity and Consistency

Our goal is to identify all instances of these phrases across the WoltLab Suite and unify them under a single, clear, and consistent instruction. This will not only improve the user experience but also make the platform feel more cohesive and professional.

Step 1: Identifying the Variations

The first step is to identify all the different variations of these phrases currently in use. Here's a breakdown of the phrases we've found so far, categorized by the WoltLab Suite component they appear in:

  • WoltLab Suite Core: Conversations

    • Multiple users must be entered separately.
    • Separate multiple users by commas.
    • Separate multiple users with a comma.

  • WoltLab Suite Core

    • Separate multiple tags with a comma.

  • WoltLab Suite Forum

    • Separate multiple users by commas.
    • Multiple users have to separated by commas.
    • Optionally, you can consider fetching entries with the specified keywords above, all other entries will be skipped. Separate multiple keywords with a comma.
    • You can specify multiple thread tags for the created threads. Separate multiple thread tags with a comma.

  • WoltLab Suite Blog

    • Optional: You can add additional users that can create new articles and edit existing ones. Separate multiple users with a comma.

  • WoltLab Suite Calendar

    • You can invite additional users to this event. Separate multiple users with a comma.

  • WoltLab Suite Filebase

    • Optional: You can add additional users that can edit this file and add new versions. Separate multiple users with a comma.

As you can see, there's a significant amount of variation. Some phrases are passive ("Multiple users must be entered separately"), while others are active ("Separate multiple users by commas"). Some use "with a comma," while others use "by commas." This is precisely the kind of inconsistency we need to address.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Phrase

Now that we've identified the variations, we need to decide on the best phrase to use consistently across the suite. There are a few factors to consider here:

  1. Clarity: The phrase should be easy to understand and leave no room for ambiguity. Users should immediately know what they need to do.
  2. Conciseness: Shorter phrases are generally better, as they're easier to read and process.
  3. Grammatical Correctness: Of course, the phrase needs to be grammatically correct.
  4. Active vs. Passive Voice: Active voice is generally preferred in instructions, as it's more direct and engaging. For example, "Separate multiple users by commas" is more direct than "Multiple users have to be separated by commas."

Considering these factors, a strong contender is "Separate multiple [items] by commas." This phrase is clear, concise, grammatically correct, and uses active voice. It's also versatile, as we can easily replace "[items]" with the specific item being separated (e.g., users, tags, keywords).

Before we fully commit to this phrase, though, it's worth considering the alternative "Separate multiple [items] with a comma." While subtle, the difference between "by commas" and "with a comma" can impact how users interpret the instruction. "By commas" emphasizes the commas as the method of separation, while "with a comma" focuses on the comma as a tool. We need to carefully weigh these nuances to ensure we choose the clearest option. Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of each.

"Separate multiple [items] by commas"

  • Pros:
    • Clear emphasis on commas as the method of separation.
    • Concise and direct.
    • Active voice.
  • Cons:
    • Might sound slightly less natural in everyday speech.

"Separate multiple [items] with a comma"

  • Pros:
    • Sounds more conversational and natural.
    • Focuses on the comma as a tool.
  • Cons:
    • Slightly less direct than "by commas."
    • Might be interpreted as requiring only one comma, even for multiple items.

After careful consideration, "Separate multiple [items] by commas" seems to be the stronger choice due to its clarity and directness. While "Separate multiple [items] with a comma" has a more conversational tone, the potential for misinterpretation (thinking only one comma is needed) is a significant drawback. We want to ensure that the instruction is as unambiguous as possible.

Step 3: Implementing the Unification

Once we've settled on the phrase, the next step is to implement the changes across the WoltLab Suite. This involves going through each of the instances we identified earlier and replacing the existing phrases with our chosen phrase: "Separate multiple [items] by commas."

Here's how the changes would look:

WoltLab Suite Core: Conversations

- <item name="wcf.conversation.participants.description"><![CDATA[Multiple users must be entered separately.]]></item>
- <item name="wcf.conversation.participants.description"><![CDATA[Separate multiple users by commas.]]></item>
+ <item name="wcf.conversation.participants.description"><![CDATA[Separate multiple users by commas.]]></item>
- <item name="wcf.conversation.participants.description"><![CDATA[Separate multiple users with a comma.]]></item>

WoltLab Suite Core

- <item name="wcf.tagging.tags.description"><![CDATA[Separate multiple tags with a comma.]]></item>
+ <item name="wcf.tagging.tags.description"><![CDATA[Separate multiple tags by commas.]]></item>

WoltLab Suite Forum

- <item name="wbb.post.condition.username.description"><![CDATA[Separate multiple users by commas.]]></item>
+ <item name="wbb.post.condition.username.description"><![CDATA[Separate multiple users by commas.]]></item>
- <item name="wbb.thread.condition.username.description"><![CDATA[Multiple users have to separated by commas.]]></item>
+ <item name="wbb.thread.condition.username.description"><![CDATA[Separate multiple users by commas.]]></item>

- <item name="wbb.acp.rssFeed.searchKeywords.description"><![CDATA[Optionally, you can consider fetching entries with the specified keywords above, all other entries will be skipped. Separate multiple keywords with a comma.]]></item>
+ <item name="wbb.acp.rssFeed.searchKeywords.description"><![CDATA[Optionally, you can consider fetching entries with the specified keywords above, all other entries will be skipped. Separate multiple keywords by commas.]]></item>
- <item name="wbb.acp.rssFeed.threadTags.description"><![CDATA[You can specify multiple thread tags for the created threads. Separate multiple thread tags with a comma.]]></item>
+ <item name="wbb.acp.rssFeed.threadTags.description"><![CDATA[You can specify multiple thread tags for the created threads. Separate multiple thread tags by commas.]]></item>

WoltLab Suite Blog

- <item name="blog.blog.authors.description"><![CDATA[Optional: You can add additional users that can create new articles and edit existing ones. Separate multiple users with a comma.]]></item>
+ <item name="blog.blog.authors.description"><![CDATA[Optional: You can add additional users that can create new articles and edit existing ones. Separate multiple users by commas.]]></item>

WoltLab Suite Calendar

- <item name="calendar.event.date.participation.invite.description"><![CDATA[You can invite additional users to this event. Separate multiple users with a comma.]]></item>
+ <item name="calendar.event.date.participation.invite.description"><![CDATA[You can invite additional users to this event. Separate multiple users by commas.]]></item>

WoltLab Suite Filebase

- <item name="filebase.file.authors.description"><![CDATA[Optional: You can add additional users that can edit this file and add new versions. Separate multiple users with a comma.]]></item>
+ <item name="filebase.file.authors.description"><![CDATA[Optional: You can add additional users that can edit this file and add new versions. Separate multiple users by commas.]]></item>

As you can see, the changes are straightforward. We're simply replacing the existing phrases with our unified phrase, ensuring consistency across the suite.

Step 4: Future Considerations

Unifying these phrases is a great step forward, but it's important to consider how we can maintain consistency in the future. One way to do this is to establish a style guide for WoltLab Suite's user interface text. A style guide would provide clear guidelines on phrasing, grammar, and tone, ensuring that all new text added to the platform adheres to the same standards. This will help prevent inconsistencies from creeping in over time.

Another important aspect is to regularly review existing text for consistency. This could be done as part of the development process for new features or as a dedicated maintenance task. By proactively looking for inconsistencies, we can ensure that the platform remains user-friendly and polished.

Conclusion: A More Polished WoltLab Suite

By unifying the phrases used to instruct users on how to separate multiple items, we're making WoltLab Suite a more user-friendly and professional platform. This small change has a big impact on the overall user experience, making the suite feel more cohesive and polished. Remember, consistency is key when it comes to user interface text. By using clear and consistent language, we can ensure that users understand instructions easily and can focus on using the platform's features effectively.

So, let's get those phrases unified and make WoltLab Suite even better, guys! This attention to detail truly elevates the user experience and showcases the quality of the platform.