An update to WordPress has removed my ability to “view page” from the top utility menu. It was replaced by an appearing/disappearing button that displays “view page” only after you click “publish”.
It’s a button on a mini snack bar.
Click Publish in WordPress:
- WordPress saves the record
- a button slides in from the bottom that says “view page”
- the button stays for a couple seconds, then slides back out of view
I found myself struggling to view my page after publishing when I missed the appearing/disappearing button. Even though I just learned that clicking the publish button will make it appear, why did I resist clicking it and continue searching for the (thought-to-be) misplaced button?
Why did I resist just clicking the publish button again?
For what seems like weeks I’ve been searching for that stupid button, because surely designers wouldn’t put that option to be available *only* on the appearing/disappearing button? But Why? Why would they do that?
It’s only now it dawns on me why they changed the button. There must have been problems saving the database record when other “preview” windows were open (?). Not that it couldn’t do it, just, it’s not efficient sometimes and I could imagine that kind of usage maybe stressing out a database and causing technical difficulties.
This UI pattern of the appearing/disappearing button could help make sure users have the latest version saved before trying to view, that is my theory. Once I could see a reason *WHY* the “view page” button changed, it became much easier for me to accept it. I feel like I will never again waste time looking for the old, static button, all-the-while knowing the publish button triggers it.
At least now I know I can just click the hell out of that publish button, after all, that’s what they’re driving me to do.
