New Editor spawns endless new Tabs
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I am having trouble figuring out how to use the New Editor.
Example: I go to https://wordpress.com/post/ to create a new post. I type some text, save as a Draft, and click Preview. A new tab opens with the preview. I go back to the Edit window and add some more text, then click Preview again. A new tab opens again. This process goes on: every new Preview opens a new tab. If I edit the post 20 times I have 20 preview tabs open! This is a complete reversal of the previous way it worked, where Preview open in a new tab but then reloaded the same tab with new previews.
I suppose this isn’t a problem for someone that doesn’t revise their posts. But is this really the way it’s supposed to work?
The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
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Hello!
It appears that is what happens. I tried it on a test blog of mine report the same issue.
I can also confirm that this does not occur when you use the older editor.
Note: I am using FireFox 33.1 with “open new windows in a tab” selected regarding both tries above. -
Hi there,
That is indeed the case. The two editors are intended to have different composing and editing experiences, so there are a few changes above and beyond the appearance. It’s my understanding that most users either closed the preview window after each look at it, or else were looking for the chance to compare versions; both of which are answered by having a new page open with each new preview.
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Thank you for your reply. I was perplexed as to why the normal & expected behavior was reversed for the New Editor.
The two editors are intended to have different composing and editing experiences…
A few questions:
- What is the rationale behind creating two different editing “experiences”?
- What are the expectations for user preferences of these two experiences: are they designed to be complimentary or mutually exclusive?
- Why are users being effectively forced to use one experience over the other (why is the New Editor opt-out rather than opt-in)?
I don’t expect you to have the answers to these questions. I would be greatly interested if you can point me to resources that may help me understand the direction that this new UX is heading, and why.
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I’ll do my best to explain the reasons behind these changes.
1) The original editor is, at this point, several years old. By no means is this a statement that everything old must be changed or replaced, but both technology and design aesthetics moves along. Things are possible now which weren’t even a dream a decade ago when the original editor was designed.
2) Either editor is designed to be used completely stand-alone, without the need of the other. Some users have adapted their flow to make them complimentary, which is fantastic, but they are intended to each be able to stand on their own merits.
3) We value our users deeply, which is why we placed an opt-out option and why we do not intend to get rid of the original editor; because we understand that it is incredibly important to many of our users. However with that said, the newer editor (and any other improvements that may be made in the future) is by nature going to get placed as the default, with the original version available as an opt-in feature.
I hope this answered your questions.
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@amightywp Thank you.
However with that said, the newer editor (and any other improvements that may be made in the future) is by nature going to get placed as the default, with the original version available as an opt-in feature.
I assumed as much. However, IMHO it is the current process for pushing out the new UX is much too intrusive. Small changes to existing familiar patterns are usually easy to adjust to: sudden, unannounced, and unexplained major changes are something very different. I suggest that the tried-and-true process (pushing updates silently and frequently) is not a good fit for introducing a completely different “experience” than what is expected.
e.g. When the new editor appeared several people in the forum asked “does my computer have a virus?” I suggest this is an indication that something is amiss.
e.g. Expected behavior in new tool is 180° opposite to expected behavior in old tool: Preview button opens new tab every time vs. Preview button reloads same tab.
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I understand what you’re saying and I’ll be happy to take the feedback to our developers who have been working on the various projects which have been cooking!
Thanks so much for taking the time to explain your position in a well thought-out manner. I appreciate it!
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