One common complaint I hear when users are told about the various syntax highlighting features is that they are hard to discover. This task explores options to make them more prominent in WikiEditor (2010).
Each scenario below shown with a standard WikiEditor install and with ProofreadPage:
1) Status quo
Settings and search are buried under the "Advanced" section, and off to the right. I don't think either of these concepts, in particular search, need to be considered advanced.
2) Group the buttons with "Syntax"
This is nice because there is a visual indication that the buttons belong to the "Syntax" highlighting feature.
3) New group in the secondary section
Looks nice, and arguably the more natural place one would expect settings and search buttons.
4a) Move WikiEditor/CM search to secondary section, CM settings next to "Syntax"
4b) Move WikiEditor/CM search to secondary section, CM setting stays under "Advanced"
I'm leaning toward #3 #4a or #4b, personally.
Here's screenshots of the preferences panel and dialog, in case anyone was wondering what looks like:
The existing search button added by WikiEditor in the "Advanced" section can either be removed, or we can change its placement in WikiEditor itself. Personally I think moving the search button to the main toolbar is most important for CodeMirror users, especially given Ctrl-F only works when focus is on the editor (T393833). The settings button also being there is just convenient, but one could argue it does quality as "advanced".