TOPIC:

I think it's great that files in File Manager can be designated as officers-only or hidden. A possible improvement though is that officers-only files are marked as "officers-only" when an officer logs in and goes to Member Downloads so that they know that regular members can't see it, otherwise an officer might tell a member to just look in the Member Downloads section for a particular file and then the member is confused as to why the file doesn't show up for them. The officers would also understand that regular members are not entitled to those files too. This "officers-only" file designation might be represented by a special icon (with maybe a little pop-up note to say what it means when moused over). Right now, as a workaround, what I do is I embed "Officers-" into the beginning of the folder name, but this means that I can't put officers-only files into other folders that might allow access for regular members to other files.

As another suggestion for the files, this is more for the aesthetics and not the functionality. I noticed that the column widths (Type, File Name / Description, and Size) under Downloads (whether Public or Member) change depending on what's clicked. Perhaps each column can have its own set width.

(When I check what I write under 'Preview' in this forum, the right side of the box is cut off.)

Icons: Gavel or bullhorn icon... which would be better to call out officer content? We currently use a flag icon in some of the member lists for that (e.g. Meet Our Members page), but I have not sure a flag conveys much meaning to users.

I just looked up "executive officer icon" and "boss icon" and mostly what I get is a guy in a suit, some with "CEO", a bullhorn, or a suitcase. I think a star (like to highlight something) or gavel (since this is Toastmasters) would be appropriate, and then there can be a legend on the page to explain it or the explanation can appear in a little pop-up when moused over or clicked.

Here is what I have to work with:
fontawesome.com/v4.7.0/icons/

I think star, asterisk, or user-plus would work. It still might be necessary for a legend/pop-up explanation though, which, if necessary, I think should only appear for exec members and not regular members.

vickiiui wrote:

Right now, as a workaround, what I do is I embed "Officers-" into the beginning of the folder name, but this means that I can't put officers-only files into other folders that might allow access for regular members to other files.

I use this method along with starting the officers folder names with a number to force them to the top of the list.

A different icon is a great idea. How about also a different field color behind the icon?

I was thinking it would be really clear if there was an icon that had the letters "EXEC", and this way there wouldn't even be a need for an explanation. This just doesn't appear in Font Awesome, but I don't know if this is something that's easy enough to do via another method (like the letters typed out instead of an icon?).

If using existing icons in Font Awesome, I have a slight preference for the user-plus icon.

Hello, I know it's been a while since the last reply on this topic, but I thought it might be good to revisit.

I think it would be good to label not just officers-only but also members-only files.  If the Font Awesome v6 library is available as an option, then perhaps they can be labelled with the circle-e and square-m icons (or square-e and circle-m icons), respectively, and put in a legend at the top of the Member Downloads section, saying, "[circle-e] = Executive officers only" and "[square-m] = Members only".  At the very least, the circle-e icon would work well for officers-only even if not labelling members-only files at all.  It probably requires explanation either way (and esp. for non-English language clubs), but it's probably easier to code this legend rather than having a hover-over pop-up.  In order to increase readability, I would also suggest not using the same background shape for the two classifications.  Having different background colours (as someone else suggested) could also help.

If the Font Awesome v6 library is not available as an option but version 4 or 5 is, then perhaps the briefcase icon for officers-only, and (optionally) gavel for members-only.  Or a user-plus icon for officers-only and (optionally) a user icon for members-only.  Of course, these icons are available in v6 too, but either way, I would suggest having a legend at the top of the section to make it clear.  (If v6, you may consider using the 'briefcase-blank' icon rather than the 'briefcase' icon.)

(Where applicable, I would say the 'solid' style is the way to go for best user-friendliness, since the icons may be quite small.)

(There's also a user-tie icon, but I think it would be a bit sexist in this context.)

(I suppose square-o could work for officers too, but if using the letter o, please don't use the circle-o icon as it now could look like a dartboard.)

Anyway, in summary, these are the suggested combinations to mark officers-only and preferably members-only files, along with a legend at the top of the Member Downloads section:
1) circle-e, square-m
2) square-e, circle-m
3) briefcase (or briefcase-blank), gavel
4) user-plus, user

I hope that this is clear and easy enough now... maybe it was last left a bit unclear.  Maybe others want to weigh in?  But otherwise, thanks so much if this can be implemented!

Just an update, if it's only the free version of v6 but not the pro version that's available, then the briefcase-blank, circle-[letter], and square-[letter] icons are not available.  However, there are still the capital E and capital M icons.  You can type in 'alphabet' to see the alphabet icons.

Hello,

Just a follow-up.... and I hope this isn't difficult to implement, but I didn't hear further comments from anyone. =(

I realize now that user-plus is an icon meant to represent the action of adding a user and not to convey someone's status, so I guess the user-plus/user combination wouldn't be appropriate.

I also thought maybe the members don't need to see the officers-only icon in their legend, as it could be confusing, so then this means members see one legend and officers see a different one.

Here are what the free suggested icons look like:

Changes to the different parts of FTH are only done when there is enough reasons to change something.
You request will be considered if and when the file management section is worked upon.