Reuse existing metadata [#837894]

If an existing image file is added to an imagefield through the filefield autocomplete source, blank "fields" for metadata like description, alt text, and title are presented to the user. Since the file already has been uploaded, it might already have metadata. In some cases, it might it might be wanted to edit or alter the existing description; but normally, I'd assume, it'd be best to pre-fill the metadata fields, if metadata exists. At least it should be suggested to the user that metadata already exists.

The current workflow is a usability and consistency nightmare; to not enter different descriptions for the same image file, the user has to locate the image node where the same file has been used before, then he has to edit the node to display the metadata, then he has to go back to the filefield source node. This is an almost impossible task for a normal user (given the assumption that 'FileField Sources' is targeted to average users of a multi-user website).

Thanks & greetings, -asb

Comments

Comment #1

quicksketch

he/him

commented 9 August 2010 at 00:42

the user has to locate the image node where the same file has been used before, then he has to edit the node to display the metadata, then he has to go back to the filefield source node.

Of course you've identified the problem right there, if FileField Sources auto-filled this information it would have to do the exact same thing as the user would, searching through all the nodes and all the fields to find where (if at all) the file was used previously. Of course if re-using the file multiple times, it's also possible that descriptions and meta information is different between different places where the file is used.

Nonetheless, I think it's a good idea and we can make some guesses here to reuse the meta data of the first non-empty file usage, it'll just be a bit tricky to get this information.