AquaMail Forum

English - Android => Development builds => Topic started by: Kostya Vasilyev on March 29, 2016, 08:42:36 pm

Title: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: Kostya Vasilyev on March 29, 2016, 08:42:36 pm
https://www.aqua-mail.com/download/AquaMail-market-1.6.2-dev1.apk

https://www.aqua-mail.com/download/AquaMail-market-1.6.2-dev1.1.apk

https://www.aqua-mail.com/download/AquaMail-market-1.6.2-dev1.3.apk

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+ Undo for message deletions and similar actions. Settings -> Confirmations and undo.

+ The message date header in message lists now "sticks" to the top. Settings -> Message list.

There are some uncertainties in the UI, wrt. to when to commit "pending" (sort-of-done but still undo-able) operations.

Right now it happens on menu commands, message list scrolling, navigating between the app's various "modes" (account list / messagea list / message view and back), when swiping and flipping between messages.

Should it also commit on message view scrolling?

What about after a certain time, even if no user actions, and if so, how soon, 3 seconds, 5, 10?

I've posted new needed translations in the "Per-language status" topic.

There is a (fairly rare) issue I'm still tracking down with message list item selection state sometimes becoming inconsistent between the item's background and the checkbox image.

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+ Возможность отмены удаления сообщений и подобного. Настройки - подтверждения и отмена.

+ Заголовок с датами в списке сообщений теперь "прилипает" при прокрутке. Настройки - список сообщений.

Пока что не всё устаканилось с интерфейсом в отношении того когда полностью исполнять "отложенные" (то есть как бы выполненные, но пока ещё с возможностью отмены) операции.

Сейчас окончательное исполнение происходит при выборе команд меню, прокрутке списка сообщений, переходам по интерфейсу (список учёток / список сообщений / отображение сообщения и обратно), пролистыванием и прошвыриванием между сообщениями.

Нужно ли делать исполнение при прокрутке сообщений?

А как насчёт по таймеру, даже если пользователь ничего не делает, и если да, то как скоро, 3 секунды, 5, 10?

Есть (редкая) ошибка когда у выделенных в списке сообщений не совпадает состояние фона и галочки, я уже неделю пытаюсь решить, буду продолжать.



-dev1.1:

+ Fixed thread headers "splashing" (the color animation before deleting) even when not selected

+ Hide the sticky header when fling-scrolling, fade in when the fling stops

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-dev1.1:

+ Исправил "волну" на цепочках сообщений (цветная анимация перед удалением) которые не были выбраны

+ Скрытие "прилипающих" заголовков во время быстрой прокрутки



-dev1.3:

+ Fixed unwanted automatic "commit undoable action on scroll" when deleting a lot of messages in a message list, causing automatic (not user initiated) scroll.

This "repositioning" scrolling now gets ignored, no commit.

---

-dev1.3

+ Исправил нежелательное "окончательное исполнение действия при прокрутке" после удаления большого кол-ва сообщений из списка, которое могло привести в автоматической прокрутке списка.

Такая прокрутка теперь игнорируется, и действие остаётся в состоянии "ещё можно отменить".
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1 - "work in progress"
Post by: StR on March 29, 2016, 10:31:21 pm
+ Undo for message deletions and similar actions. Settings -> Confirmations and undo.

Hooray! Finally, I can undo deletions of the messages from 1997!
 ;D
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1 - "work in progress"
Post by: Kostya Vasilyev on March 29, 2016, 11:54:53 pm
Re: Hooray! Finally, I can undo deletions of the messages from 1997!

WARNING WARNING WARNING (where is the BLINK tag?)

This WILL NOT revert the effects of rm -fr /

WARNING WARNING WARNING

:)
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.1 - "work in progress" (updated)
Post by: Davey126 on March 30, 2016, 06:35:26 pm
re: Should it also commit on message view scrolling?
Nope - unless I can disable the setting. Scroll is a progression not a mode switch; I don't expect any additional actions/commits while scrolling

re: What about after a certain time, even if no user actions, and if so, how soon, 3 seconds, 5, 10?
What 'bad' things are happening today? A commit button might be a better choice for those concerned with pending operations (buried in the app menu)
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.1 - "work in progress" (updated)
Post by: StR on March 30, 2016, 07:25:13 pm
re: What about after a certain time, even if no user actions, and if so, how soon, 3 seconds, 5, 10?
What 'bad' things are happening today? A commit button might be a better choice for those concerned with pending operations (buried in the app menu)

Personally, I don't care for this feature, - but I'd expect that if the deletion doesn't happen automatically (eventually), without necessity to "commit", - some users will start complaining: "I've deleted these messages and they still show up when I look in {Thunderbird/Web Interface/Outlook}..."
Just my 2 cents.
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.1 - "work in progress" (updated)
Post by: Davey126 on March 30, 2016, 07:26:08 pm
My track record for suggestions being implemented has not been stellar based on community feedback. One implemented (paste in search dialog), three rejected (copy functionality; prevent moves from Sent folder; selective sync of Deleted folder). Let's see where this one goes ...

As before this request is specific go Gmail (ugh!).

With conversation view enabled most items in the Sent folder are duplicated as it also picks up items from the All Mail folder. I have All Mail set as archive/sync as it greatly facilitates viewing all messages in a conversation vs. only those that have a specific label assigned to them. Orphaned messages within a conversation are an unfortunate artifact of the move only functionality in AquaMail, the goofy mapping of labels to folders and differences in how labeling is handled in AquaMail and Gmail clients. I either have to search (which works well but involves additional steps and selection of appropriate keywords) or look in the All Mail folder to be sure I have the entire conversation.

I also must (and prefer) to keep the conversation option 'In Archive Folders' enabled as disabling this option only exposes some of the messages that are part of a conversation if they have different/missing labels. Disabling this option is not a solution to the request being raised.

Request: Do not display duplicate items in the All Mail folder when viewing Sent items.
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.1 - "work in progress" (updated)
Post by: Kostya Vasilyev on March 30, 2016, 07:41:02 pm
@Davey126

AquaMail doesn't deal with Gmail's "pseudo-duplicates" at all. Sorry.

And it's one of those "one day" things, right now I can't even imagine what I'd have to do in order to handle it.
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.1 - "work in progress" (updated)
Post by: Davey126 on March 30, 2016, 08:18:08 pm
@Davey126

AquaMail doesn't deal with Gmail's "pseudo-duplicates" at all. Sorry.

And it's one of those "one day" things, right now I can't even imagine what I'd have to do in order to handle it.
Yep - understood. Gmail is a bear. A softer variation would be to simply ignore the All Mail folder while in Sent Mail (but not other folders) vs focusing on true duplicates. Of course, the underlying code would need to be structured to easily handle this special case; certainly not asking for a 'deep dive' on this one :)

BTW - my requests may appear to the casual observer to be personalization attempts. Actually - I try to avoid suggesting anything that is not part of Gmail's base feature set and potentially beneficial to a larger audience. Like it or not Gmail is the 800 lb gorilla in the room. Unfortunately, most users never see all the goodness AquaMail brings to the table because Gmail's own apps are both ubiquitous and reasonably functional. 
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.1 - "work in progress" (updated)
Post by: Davey126 on March 30, 2016, 08:24:31 pm
re: Should it also commit on message view scrolling?
Nope - unless I can disable the setting. Scroll is a progression not a mode switch; I don't expect any additional actions/commits while scrolling

re: What about after a certain time, even if no user actions, and if so, how soon, 3 seconds, 5, 10?
What 'bad' things are happening today? A commit button might be a better choice for those concerned with pending operations (buried in the app menu)

Certainly not a "commit button". This is the opposite expected behavior from implementing Undo. If the user wishes to get a commit button, he/she must disable Undo, as currently before the new dev.

Yes for 5 seconds. When the user deletes, he/she expects to delete. Undo is here only to correct an error in action. 5 (or 7) seconds should be enough as a delay to let the user undo a mistake. Definitely need in my opinion.
Not really. In many apps once a 'save' is issued undo becomes non-functional for history before the save. But I understand your concern/comment. If an auto commit time interval is selected it should be noted somewhere in the documentation. Not sure 5-7 sec is sufficient; I'd vote for 15 sec. Just my 2 cents. Not passionate on this one as I feel the current 'mode switch' implicit commit works well.

I do like the pending undo feature; very nice!!


Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.1 - "work in progress" (updated)
Post by: Kostya Vasilyev on March 30, 2016, 08:27:07 pm
Re: undo

The idea is to let the user "happily run along" until he/she goes "ooooh shit!!!" at which point there is an Undo button.

The opposite of explicit commit button.

In particular, the Undo panel is NOT modal -- it is possible to click "past" it and the click "goes through" to the underlying content (other message list items, menus, buttons, etc.)

Re: All Mail

ALl Mail has messages that don't have any labels, and also messages that have other labels, it really is All Mail.

There is a way to get unique Gmail specific MessageIDs (via IMAP extensions) and to also get and set labels (again, an extension) -- but the underlying logic (database schema and the UI) would need to work with that too.

And that's the part I have a hard time even imagining right now.

Sorry. Maybe I should had more foresight back in 2010 (has it really been that long???)
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.1 - "work in progress" (updated)
Post by: Davey126 on March 30, 2016, 08:35:03 pm
re: Sorry. Maybe I should had more foresight back in 2010 (has it really been that long???)

Naa - ya done did good!! AquaMail probably would not be what it is today if you had jumped on the Google Wagon and been assimilated in to their mindset (think Borg if a Star Trek fan).

Dialog is good - thanks, as always, for the responses.
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: Davey126 on March 31, 2016, 02:52:03 am
I really like the changes in this dev cycle :)

Question: should a message list section be scrolled to the top when "sticky date headers" is used in combination with "Tap header to select"? It's easy to target messages above the sticky header when at the bottom of a large section. Undo mitigates the consequences of an unintended mass action so this may not be a big issue as both features are part of the same release.

Don't know the right answer; just throwing it out there.
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: Davey126 on March 31, 2016, 05:30:55 am
Having spent a couple hours processing dozens of messages not sure I like the undo toast popping up for every delete/move action. After awhile it becomes a visual distraction. I definitely appreciate the undo capability but would like it presented in a more subtle way. Perhaps allow toast to be optional and add 'undo last action' to overflow menu. Another variation: only display toast if action involves multiple messages; otherwise use overflow menu. Or add a permanent 'undo' button.

Edit: I also don't care for the new color flash that accompanies a delete action (swipe) when undo is active. Makes my tab with decent specs feel like a lower-end device with visual artifacts/lag as the screen is redrawn. When undo is disabled message list compression/redraw is nearly instantaneous. 
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: Davey126 on March 31, 2016, 03:17:34 pm
Bug: Undo toast obscures the Floating Action Button on my 7" tab requiring another user action (eg: message list scroll) to clear the toast and allow the floating button button to redisplay.

Bug: The Floating Action Button also disappears on significant downward scroll in the message list necessitating a brief reverse scroll for it to reappear.

1.6.2-dev1.3

Edit: Another poster remarked item #2 was worked as designed and not a "bug". I rolled back to the latest production release and confirmed the Floating Action Button behaves the same way. Therefore, I agree this is not a "bug" introduced in the 1.6.2 development but still worthy of mention. I thought this may have been related to 1.6.2 as the release notes mentioned various changes to scrolling behavior.
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: Davey126 on March 31, 2016, 04:07:29 pm
Having spent a couple hours processing dozens of messages not sure I like the undo toast popping up for every delete/move action. After awhile it becomes a visual distraction. I definitely appreciate the undo capability but would like it presented in a more subtle way. Perhaps allow toast to be optional and add 'undo last action' to overflow menu. Another variation: only display toast if action involves multiple messages; otherwise use overflow menu. Or add a permanent 'undo' button.

You're definitely not ready for Undo feature (as it is used in other apps and as many users had asked for). You're trying to get something else from what Undo is meant to be. After reading your comments, I would say thay you need to stick to confirmation (customizable by move/delete/hide/permanent delete/etc), and this exists in Aquamail. A permanent Undo button is confirmation (yes/no). What you call visual distraction is something valuable to other users.
Pretty sharp retort bordering on a personal attack which I do not appreciate.

Not sure what apps/clients you are using but I do not see ubiquitous Undo toasts popping up on every action in my broad portfolio. That does not mean you are wrong and I am correct. But if commenting on a new feature is now assessed against your personal maturity meter ("You're definitely not ready" ... really?) then this board will take a decidedly different turn.

For the record I did not take issue with the value or permanency of Undo, only the way it is being presented. I also offered a few alternatives which may or may not be ideal. Please keep your comments constructive and dispense with personal judgement.
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: Kostya Vasilyev on March 31, 2016, 05:42:02 pm
Re: Not sure what apps/clients you are using but I do not see ubiquitous Undo toasts popping up on every action in my broad portfolio

Gmail is one. Pretty popular I hear.

Also in recent Android versions the preinstalled SMS app (and maybe others) uses Undo.

Re: floating action button disappearing

I just made a change to auto-commit after 5 seconds.

Re: menu item to "undo last action"

Very important: discovery and reassurance.

Undo is something you'll want after an "oh shit!" moment, and if the user at this point has to search the menus (how do you let them know this?), well, that's bad.

And then without a menu item, even if the user did not make a mistake:

"Oh, the app deleted my message and didn't even ask to confirm!!!"

The panel, on the other hand, introduces the feature, and shows exactly how it works:

"OK, so I clicked delete, and the message disappeared, right, but -- oh look -- I could press here and bring it back, good".

---

One other thing: the panel needs to be accessible through transitions from message view to message list (after a delete), the screen layout there is different (icon bar along the bottom vs. none, usually), so again the current positioning works for that.

---

Finally (please don't take it as a personal attack, veiled or direct) -- really, if you don't like this new feature, consider turning it off.

It's perfectly fine, just like some people use the dark theme (or the old style light theme), some people turn off the floating action button, some people don't use push mail or the app's widgets (that's me here), etc.

Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: Davey126 on March 31, 2016, 07:10:16 pm
re: Gmail is one. Pretty popular I hear.

Gmail's toast is not persistent; it disappears after a few sec. It's also smaller, fades in smoothly and is thus less distracting (at least to me). Same trend in the other apps you mention.

re: really, if you don't like this new feature, consider turning it off

Absolutely! I use AquaMail for many reasons including it's tremendous flexibility. That said, the development cycle seems the best time to comment on newly introduced features in an effort to make them better. Once implemented I am much less likely to comment on aesthetic issues as they become part of the products UX. Hopefully my post history demonstrates I am willing to disable features I don't care for and accommodate nuances in the way AquaMail operates without complaint. I do not view suggestions as 'complaints' and (to my knowledge) never took a jab at anyone who disagreed with my position. Quite the opposite in fact, acknowledging constructive dialog leads to better outcomes even if not what I personally desired.

re: please don't take it as a personal attack, veiled or direct

Addressed above (and in response to another post).

re: I just made a change to auto-commit after 5 seconds
re: Very important: discovery and reassurance

Thank you - both for change and extended explanation. Perhaps the latter was obvious to everyone but me. I tend to think not. Flushing out rational is helpful to current and future readers - even if a bit annoying to those who already see the light.
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: Kostya Vasilyev on March 31, 2016, 08:22:58 pm
Re: Gmail's toast is not persistent; it disappears after a few sec.

And Aqua's undo panel will disappear and commit after 5 seconds too. Done, just not posted.

Re: It's also smaller, fades in smoothly and is thus less distracting (at least to me).

Smaller:

Yes, I used a larger size than prescribed by the design guides. May change. Unsure, though.

Less distracting:

I've not seen any app with 1) undo panel and 2) icon bar along the bottom (Aqua's message view) 3) "floating context bar" (the vertical strip of message action icons which is present in message lists).

Fades in smoothly:

Um, are you saying Aqua's undo panel seems jumpy / jittery / whatever for you?

Or are you talking about how it "flips" from one action to the next (if not dismissed yet)?

I thought it would a cool animation, to draw the user's attention to how "1 message deleted" now refers to the just deleted message, not the one he'd deleted just before that. A visual change to draw attention to the data change.

Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: Davey126 on March 31, 2016, 09:15:46 pm
re: And Aqua's undo panel will disappear and commit after 5 seconds too. Done, just not posted.
Thank you!

re: Yes, I used a larger size than prescribed by the design guides. May change. Unsure, though.
Obviously your call - see below for related commentary

re: Less distracting:
re: I've not seen any app with 1) undo panel and 2) icon bar along the bottom (Aqua's message view) 3) "floating context bar" (the vertical strip of message action icons which is present in message lists).

Not sure what to make of this as I wasn't commenting other UI elements. Suppose I could:
- floating context bar: Brilliant! Appears immediately after message selection selection with a list of actions I can take on the selected items. I use this feature daily and love it.
- icon bar in message view: also used regularly, customized with the buttons I use most frequently. Also like that I can toggle top/bottom bars as needed with simple button. Well done.
None of that adds/detracts to comments on the undo toast (unless I'm missing something). How are they linked?

Fades in smoothly:

Um, are you saying Aqua's undo panel seems jumpy / jittery / whatever for you?

Or are you talking about how it "flips" from one action to the next (if not dismissed yet)?

I thought it would a cool animation, to draw the user's attention to how "1 message deleted" now refers to the just deleted message, not the one he'd deleted just before that. A visual change to draw attention to the data change.
Gmail's undo notification appears 'gently' after a brief delay. It is not as jarring as AquaMails which is amplified by the large size and the color flash when deleting a message. Lots of screen bling following a simple swipe action. Once the novelty wears off I really do not need attention drawn to the undo function as 95% of the time I am not looking to undo the previous action. A subtle toast, floating button, whatever would be better IMHO. After all, the action being performed can (in most cases) still be reversed by other means. We're not talking "format c:" here.

Attempt at humor: The current presentation of undo reminds me of some commerce sites that throw up a pop-up when you try to exit. "But wait ... don't you REALLY want to undo?"  8)
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: Kostya Vasilyev on March 31, 2016, 09:25:33 pm
Re: None of that adds/detracts to comments on the undo toast (unless I'm missing something). How are they linked?

The relative positioning of UI elements.

The undo bar is bottom-aligned with the FAB (they're not on the screen at the same time, but I thought it would look nice).

The Floating Context Bar gets bumped up (try selecting a message, deleting, and while the undo bar is still visible, select another message... then click Undo).

In message view mode (let's say you deleted a message and the app is set to "navigate to previous message after delete"), the undo bar has to be *above* the icon bar, so you can click Reply or whatever immediately, without having to wait.

Then it's possible to turn the FAB off, and then you'll have an icon bar along the bottom in message lists too.

Re: Gmail's undo notification appears 'gently' after a brief delay

After a delay? Um, interesting. Wonder if there is a technical reason for it (say, too much repaint causing the frame rate to drop).

Re: color flash when deleting a message

If you mean the colors (red / yellow / green)  "splashing over" the message being affected -- Gmail does it too.

---

But yes, I see what you're saying.

Maybe the panel needs to be semi-transparent, maybe the animation should be delayed, maybe maybe maybe.

---

Re: "But wait ... don't you REALLY want to undo?"

Darn, you blew my cover.

Yes, a secret deal with Google, a plot to keep people from deleting their mail (so that Google can read it).

( and psst, don't even mention the NSA )

:)

---

Let's take a step back though.

We're by now discussing the subtleties of visuals.

BUT

Does the darn thing work at all?????
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: Davey126 on March 31, 2016, 10:25:17 pm
Although I didn't run the various scenarios I could easily visualize the various element placements from your descriptions and appreciate the thoughtful effort put in to make sure everything plays nicely together. We have all seen apps that stumble along like a teenager who appendages (keep it clean...) have outgrown their torso. I have yet to experience that type of behavior in AquaMail...ever...even in betas. A testament to the high bar you set for yourself and others.

re: Does the darn thing work at all?
Yes - it does! There are no operational deficiencies that I have detected to date. The discussion surrounds visuals, with the possible exception of the FAB being obscured by the Undo toast on message lists. If the undo toast does become more discrete (designers call) then there should be room for both, although the toast would need to be somewhat left aligned if the FAB is present. Or maybe this will work better with the 5 sec timeout; look forward to checking it out in the next beta.

re: Gmail does it too ...
In both cases referenced Gmail's implementation is less jarring. I'm not trying to be critical or say you have done something wrong. Perhaps they have special access to buttery animations that the average dev does not. But wait...you're not 'average' :)

Also interesting how the Gmail app handles Undo on swipes versus message select->act. The UI is inconsistent in this regard - but also places Undo in a more obvious location post swipe. Not sure I like this implementation but thought I'd point it out if you haven't observed directly. The default swipe action is 'archive' but you can change it in settings to 'delete'.

NB: If you want to see a fine example of poor UI design note where the settings option is buried in the Gmail app. If you have more than a handful of folders it falls into an off-screen abyss. Oi!

Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: Kostya Vasilyev on March 31, 2016, 10:33:21 pm
Re: In both cases referenced Gmail's implementation is less jarring.

I'll take a look again.

Don't think they "have access to more buttery animations" -- actually I think it's possible that they had to cheat (spread the animations over time)...

Re: Undo on swipes versus message select->act

Yes, I'm aware of this, and not sure I like the inconsistency.

Re: room for both, although the toast would need to be somewhat left aligned if the FAB is present

Hmm. An interesting idea. Wonder how it'd work with German (and other languages more verbose than English, including Russian).
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: Davey126 on March 31, 2016, 10:44:58 pm
re: Wonder how it'd work with German (and other languages more verbose than English, including Russian).

Being an "ugly American" I sometimes forget the nuances of other languages/regions. My apologies! I try not to be that way; for years I used military time suffixed with time zone in written communications (my team was multi-national), but people got all over my case for being too "culturally sensitive". Just use 'local time' and let them translate. What the hell does that mean?? It really is amazing how insensitive some Westerners can be.
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: Kostya Vasilyev on March 31, 2016, 10:48:29 pm
LOL, but just factually (the epithets aside), "Undo" is shorter than "Отмена" (Russian), "Rückgängig" (German) or "Annulation" (French).
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: mikeone on March 31, 2016, 11:58:28 pm
I will give you a comparison between English and German (just as an example):

<xx>messages moved to Deleted / <Undo>
<xx>Nachrichten in Gelōscht verschoben / <Rückgängig>

Therefore I understand Kostya's concerns about the needed space for other languages.
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: Davey126 on April 01, 2016, 12:24:13 am
I vote for Arabic as it uses the least real estate beating out English, German and French. That said, Mandarin Chinese probably tops them all with just a symbol or two for en entire phrase! :)

Kidding aside, the dialog clearly must be wide enough to accommodate most, if not all, languages without excessive compression or conditional reduction in font size.
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: StR on April 01, 2016, 01:42:38 am
I've been thinking about the structure and etymology of the word "undo" and its equivalents in other languages. (Etymology and comparative etymology in different languages is something that I've been enjoying for many years.)
 The equivalents of undo in many European languages (Russian, German,  French) do not seem to be not a literal translation.

In English "undo" is the reverse action of "do", i.e. reversal of the action.

In Russian, "Отмена/отменить" and in French, "Annulation/annuler" are essentially "cancel(ation)" [of an action or a process].

It might seem that in German it is similar to "undo" if the full expression is used: "Rückgängig machen", as "machen" means to do, to make and "rückgängig" is something like back [from] current. However, if I understand German correctly, - it is not "back from what is done" but "make going back from current" (i.e. reversing the state, not the action, as in English).

In Spanish, "deshacer" is the negation (des) of "hacer" (= do, make), so this almost the same as "undo".

PS. I would also argue that "откат" is probably a more correct (literal) match to "undo" (albeit arguably more of a slang), even though Google uses "отмена". Compare, e.g.
https://support.google.com/mail/answer/1284885?hl=ru
https://support.google.com/mail/answer/1284885?hl=en
or
https://support.google.com/snapseed/answer/6181627?hl=ru
https://support.google.com/snapseed/answer/6181627?hl=en

PPS. Paris Geek: I cannot read Arabic or for that matter any language within the Afroasiatic (Hamito-Semitic) family. My understanding of etymology is limited to the "Euro" branches of "Indo-European" family, and a bit of "Turkic" family as it influenced European languages.
I would be curious if you can describe how that word is formed in Arabic.

Kostya: my apology for the digression.
Title: Re: Version 1.6.2-dev1.3 - "work in progress" (updated again)
Post by: Kostya Vasilyev on April 01, 2016, 03:11:16 pm
Re: I would also argue that "откат" is probably a more correct

This literally means "rollback", not "cancel" (the verb is от-катить, back-roll).

Appropriate when discussing databases (where it's the exact right term) or e.g. "let's roll back those web site changes", "those code changes" etc...

However, the more universally understood meaning of "откат" in modern Russian has nothing to do with technology: it's "kickback" (in the financial sense).