New add from template page for semantic model

[JustinGeorgi]

This is the second of my suggested additions for helping new users.

This adds a button and new sub page to the semantic model. On that sub-page the user can select from a few different basic templates for semantic locations which can then be automatically created and added to the model.

There are a few options for customization:

1. The user can select a custom prefix that will be applied to all the items to fit or establish a desired naming scheme (or just differentiate between two different semantic dwellings if this is a multi dwelling OH instance)
2. The user can optionally deselect extra pieces of the model that are not appropriate to their needs.

[relativeci[bot]]

#1990 Bundle Size — 10.63MiB (+0.1%).

7301adb(current) vs 5ae3e37 main#1987(baseline)

[!WARNING] Bundle contains 2 duplicate packages – View duplicate packages

Bundle metrics   2 changes

	Current #1990	Baseline #1987
Initial JS	1.86MiB	1.86MiB
Initial CSS	607.87KiB	607.87KiB
Cache Invalidation	19.42%	17.8%
Chunks	223	223
Assets	246	246
Modules	2884(+0.14%)	2880
Duplicate Modules	149	149
Duplicate Code	1.85%	1.85%
Packages	97	97
Duplicate Packages	2	2

Bundle size by type   2 changes 2 regressions

	Current #1990	Baseline #1987
JS	8.81MiB (+0.12%)	8.8MiB
CSS	891.48KiB (+0.06%)	890.94KiB
Fonts	526.1KiB	526.1KiB
Media	295.6KiB	295.6KiB
IMG	140.74KiB	140.74KiB
HTML	1.24KiB	1.24KiB
Other	871B	871B

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Bundle analysis report Branch JustinGeorgi:jag-sm-template Project dashboard

[ghys]

Thank you for this! It isn't what I had in mind (a multiple-step wizard with simple options) but it could do the job. I think we should indeed offer the option only when the model is empty, so it could be added as a button to the empty state placeholder (under the "Start Modelling your Home" blurb) instead of an in-your-face dialog box ("There is no semantic model. Create model locations from template?").

In any case I'm good with adding this feature early even as a "beta" feature, even if we revisit it later, it is a net benefit (as it's meant to be used just once so there's no regressions to keep in mind).

[JustinGeorgi]

I think we should indeed offer the option only when the model is empty

That was my first intention as well, but on further thought I wondered whether 1) it's better for a user to still be able to find it after they've made a couple of their own test semantic elements 2) the available templates could be expanded in the future to be more than just this initial setup.

I'm not convinced either way is better, so I'm happy to go back just available when the model is blank.

[JustinGeorgi]

Something like this?

[ghys]

Sorry for not following up lately @JustinGeorgi. I think the goal now would be to target it for 4.2 - and it's not all that bad, it allows us some time to get it just right. This would be be an important feature, I think, so we shouldn't rush it.

[ghys]

Something like this?

I would simply name the button 'Get Started'. And then you would have something to.... well, get started, like a wizard.

I wondered whether 1) it's better for a user to still be able to find it after they've made a couple of their own test semantic elements 2) the available templates could be expanded in the future to be more than just this initial setup.

This is also interesting, but is it worth the drawback though? (I would rather like a new user to easily figure out what to do).

[JustinGeorgi]

Sorry for not following up lately

No worries at all. It's a busy time for everyone.

I would simply name the button 'Get Started'.

Done.

This is also interesting, but is it worth the drawback though?

It should be easy enough to go back and expand it to be available more generally if it winds up being a frequently used/popular option, so leaving it just as a start for now is fine by me.

[florian-h05]

@ghys Can you please review this PR, since it seems you have a vision how it could look which I don't have?

[ghys]

sorry @florian-h05 (and @JustinGeorgi) for not following up. My "vision" of sorts was that the first-time model setup could be a wizard (like the one you get when starting the instance for the first time) with several steps asking you very practical (as opposed to technical) questions:

https://community.openhab.org/t/getting-started-with-oh3-rewriting-the-tutorial-6-model-your-home-with-items-link-channels/101008/6

I felt that this:

could be too complicated when you discover OH as a first-time user and therefore too confusing.

Now I'm not likely to back it up with an actual implementation of this "vision" so I'm just okay with anything easing the onboarding process.

I also saw this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOOdFyh2keY where he tries to get openHAB up and running in 30 minutes with no prior knowledge, it was pretty interesting. This should be a must-watch I think when thinking about ways to improve the onboarding.

[ghys]

My point really was that sometimes you have to design screens for people who know their way around and others for people who don't. I felt it was a case of the former when it should have been the latter.

[JustinGeorgi]

sorry for not following up.

No worries, @ghys! Honestly, I've got so many other things going on right now, I had forgotten about this one too.

My "vision" of sorts was that the first-time model setup could be a wizard (like the one you get when starting the instance for the first time) with several steps asking you very practical (as opposed to technical) questions:

That's fine too. I'll admit, however, that I personally have no instinct at all for what that series of "practical questions" might be other than "Do you have a kitchen?", etc. At that point, that's no different than the series of checkboxes, so clearly you've got something in that's a completely different approach.

My point really was that sometimes you have to design screens for people who know their way around and others for people who don't.

If the "Item Name Prefix" section is too intimidating (and I can see that), that's easy to hide behind an advanced options toggle like so many of the other dialogs.

In the end though, we can shelve this if you don't see a way to salvage it.

[ghys]

In the end though, we can shelve this if you don't see a way to salvage it.

I wouldn't dare shelve it as it's a clear UX improvement, and I recognize the good work that you made.

In fact it could coexist with the "wizard" that I eventually would like to see. When both are available we could have some sort of menu which asks you whether you prefer this "create locations from template" page (which assumes you know what the model and locations are) or the full wizard. In the meantime we can clearly add your page.