Update cog icon to user icon in administrator template index.php#10031
Update cog icon to user icon in administrator template index.php#10031wilsonge merged 1 commit intojoomla:stagingfrom
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I propose changing the gear icon to a user icon. While I know the user icon is also used in the subsequent drop down, that gear never made sense to me as this is a user menu. There's nothing in that menu that's NOT user related (unless you argue that a log out option isn't user related). In many other systems, that sort of menu is denoted by a user or head icon. This would just bring a bit more clarity to that menu. To test the change, log into the admin and see if the cog icon is now a user icon.
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I have tested this item ✅ successfully on f58e1f4 This comment was created with the J!Tracker Application at issues.joomla.org/joomla-cms/10031. |
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I believe the original designers chose a gear as it is more that a simple
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I've logged into dozens of systems of all sorts. Nearly all of them put the log out under what they call the user menu. I've learned to look for a user menu FIRST when trying to log out. So I'd argue it still makes sense to use the user icon for that menu. |
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I have tested this item 🔴 unsuccessfully on f58e1f4 This comment was created with the J!Tracker Application at issues.joomla.org/joomla-cms/10031. |
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Although I don't think this is a major dealbreaker, I kind of agree with Brian Peat. If you don't have access permissions to access the user menu, then this is the place to update your user profile. In that instance a user icon makes more sense. |
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I agree with Brian Peat. The gear is more of a settings and proceed. But the user icon is more suited for the function of this item This comment was created with the J!Tracker Application at issues.joomla.org/joomla-cms/10031. |
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Nice - a human touch! |
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I have tested this item ✅ successfully on f58e1f4 This comment was created with the J!Tracker Application at issues.joomla.org/joomla-cms/10031. |
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I have tested this item ✅ successfully on f58e1f4 This comment was created with the J!Tracker Application at issues.joomla.org/joomla-cms/10031. |
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@brianteeman When opening the menu behind the icon discussed here, then the head line showing the user name already contains a user icon and not a gear icon left beside the user name, see pre-patch screenshot: So for consistency aspects the icons should be the same, and with this PR they are, and as it is right now all functions in that menu have something to do with the user, see post-patch screenshot: I think the 2nd screen shot is more consistent, and the user icon fits perfectly to the functions in this menu. This comment was created with the J!Tracker Application at issues.joomla.org/joomla-cms/10031. |
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I have tested this item ✅ successfully on f58e1f4 This comment was created with the J!Tracker Application at issues.joomla.org/joomla-cms/10031. |
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Wouldn't change this in a minor release. It would force all book publisher and the documentation we have to update screenshots. I might agree that a user is better but the impact on other areas is to big for my understanding. |
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Ok, but so or so it should not be blocked by a bad test by @brianteeman , it should be set to "needs review" instead, if there is still need for discussion. |
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@richard67 I made the decision or are you asking to discuss this with the whole PLT |
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@rdeutz No, I do not need a PLT discussion. I thought Brian wanted some because he had set the test result to "not successful". And I worry a bad test result could have negative impact on the evaluation later for 4.0. |
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@richard67 oh, it is clear why Brian set the test to failed, hasn't more impact as the voicing of a concern, all good |
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For the record, I always believed that the top right was the perfect place for a cog. I think in a lot of systems that is exactly where you find the settings. But in most systems the cog would go to Global Configuration, which is why I agree with Brian Peat. I know there is going to be a new template at some stage so that point is more for discussion in the next template. |
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@rdeutz Robert, as far as regards our screenshots I have the feeling that it wouldn't matter much. See what we have at what I think is the most relevant documentation page (https://docs.joomla.org/Administrator_%28Application%29): |
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And guess what, that docs.joomla page? Where do you find the log out option on that site? Under a user icon at the top right. :) |
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At some point someone needs to make a decision, you don't need to like my decision. |
I don't think that's a fair argument to use to support your change. Different software platform, different context. The issue tracker's user menu uses your GitHub avatar, so by that argument I could say the CMS' user profiles should support avatars and those be integrated into the menus 😃 TBH, I don't know if there's more gained from changing it than leaving it alone other than "hey, we've got a different icon to represent this menu; some folks think it's better, others don't". Not to downplay or downvote the change at all. Then again, muscle memory has been affecting me for so long I don't really pay attention to the actual 16x16px space where some graphic is at to show me there's a menu there, I just move my mouse in that general direction and hit whatever I need. |
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My point was just that there's precedent for that type of menu having the user icon. Brian T argued that since it had the log out menu in it, it's not a user menu. I was giving an example FROM ONE OF OUR OWN SITES where the user menu indeed does have the logout function in it. |
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Well now you have two examples where it isn't some kind of cog icon 😉 Either way I personally don't think it matters much. But I'm also the last person who should ever be consulted on UI matters. |
You're absolutely right, Robert, but personally, especially with such non-technical minutiae, I will tend to listen the majority's voice: I think I don't have to remember you what "Joomla" means... |
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OK, some want a gear icon, some want a user icon ... maybe a "user with a gear head" icon could be a compromise? 😃 This comment was created with the J!Tracker Application at issues.joomla.org/joomla-cms/10031. |
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@smz if it is non-technical I am only following my heart :-) |
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My solution just switched ico font codes, making some weird new hybrid icon would mean a lot more work. I'd say we have more For the change than against, but honestly, if I'd known it would be a bunch of people debating and not getting anywhere I'd have just not bothered. Is it always like this? |
I guess Richard's icon was a joke!! (and a nice one!) |
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ah, you're probably right, I just realized he actually made an icon with the head as a gear. I somehow missed that the first time around :) |
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Hmm, just was thinking about proposing my new icon to be included into unicode standard 😄 |
Depends what it is. Everyone has an opinion and few will make a decision. Then even after the decision's made it's expected to continue defending the position of your decision until time reaches an end. |
According to some time does not exist, and its "perception" derive only from lack of information. |
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I vote for changing it. The idea came from JUX discussions and basic research we've done. I don't see any issues with changing it, there are people that don't care either way and it won't affect them, but there seem to be a lot of people that think it's a good idea. If we find later that many people dislike the change, it's not really difficult to change it back and at least we'll know how people feel about it. I don't see any compelling reason not to do this, so I say let's do it :) This comment was created with the J!Tracker Application at issues.joomla.org/joomla-cms/10031. |
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Please update the PR title. |
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As we have the OK from our UX team lead in Cliff I'm merging this. |




Pull Request for Issue # .
Summary of Changes
Testing Instructions
I propose changing the gear icon to a user icon for the user menu at the top right of the admin template. While I know the user icon is also used in the subsequent drop down, that gear never made sense to me as this is a user menu. There's nothing in that menu that's NOT user related (unless you argue that a log out option isn't user related).
In many other systems, that sort of menu is denoted by a user or head icon. This would just bring a bit more clarity to that menu.
To test the change, log into the admin and see if the cog icon is now a user icon.