Just a little bit of information. No disagreement. In fact, I agree with the Auto/Manual separation, if it could be laid out well.
It also contains "Configure Auto-Import" which is essentially an Options shortcut* and can lead to no Import at all, so Tools/Import... is not entirely accurate.
The "Configure Auto-Import" accessed via the "Tools > Import" menu runs Auto-Import if a user clicks "Finish". It just doesn't run Auto-Import if the user clicks "Cancel". But then Cancel also cancels any and all changes to the configuration, so there is in fact no way to configure Auto-Import without running it, when accessing it via the top menu.
The "Configure Auto-Import" accessed via "Tools > Options > Library & Folders > Auto-Import > Configure auto-import" doesn't run Auto-Import when a user clicks "Finish". It just saves the Auto-Import configuration changes.
So the two versions of "Configure Auto-Import" are actually different functions.
Two direct menu commands "Tools/Run Auto-Import now" and "Tools/Run Manual-Import now" would look clearer.
The Toolbar at the top and bottom of Standard View can be customised, and there is a button that can be added for "Run Auto-Import Now". I use that often.
There is no button for "Import a single folder", but there is for "Import", which opens the "Tools > Import" dialogue, so a user can quickly get to the functions.
"Configure Auto-Import" could be removed, since it's already available in the Options. No need for Options shortcuts in the Menu.
JRiver has long held the practice of providing multiple ways to get to the one function. Jim has discussed it many times and has had no desire to remove access methods where there are apparently multiple ways to access the same function.
Also, as above, there are two versions of "Configure Auto-Import" in MC. They work differently.
You could create a toolbar button, for those that use it often. A button for "Run Manual-Import now" would also make sense (full parity with Auto-Import).
The only concept of "Run Manual-Import now" that makes sense with MC is to import a single folder. A user doesn't "Run Manual-Import now" when they are using the Shell Integration right-click method, or Drag & Drop.
I agree though that having a "Run Manual-Import now" button that could be added to the Toolbar would save one click. But at the same time would use up a considerable amount of Toolbar real estate. I can get to it by clicking the "Import" button then "Import a single folder" option.
2. The partial configurability of Manual Import:
a) Single-folder import: fully configurable
b) File Explorer Import: not configurable
c) Drag and Drop Import: not configurable
Suggested solution: two separate option sections, one for Auto and another for Manual Import. The Manual Import section should either encompass a/b/c sub-sections above into one, or allow separate settings for a, b, c (power-user oriented, not confusing at all)
I think configurability could be added for b) and c), but it could add to frustration. Imagine configuring Drag & Drop to only import Video files, for example. Then some time later a user tries to import Audio files using Drag & Drop, and MC just won't import the files! Forum posts everywhere, after much frustration, and that sort of issue takes some time to resolve as often the cause seems unrelated to the user and they don't share their configuration until it is asked for several times.
Importing via Shell Integration would have the same issue. A file is selected, right-clicked on, and import is selected. Nothing happens. The user searches the Library in vain for the file. Frustration.
Anyway, this discussion started from the point of view of a new user. I think a solution for that situation, via a wizard that guided the new user through the process of initial loading of the Library, and at the same time introduced the terminology, functions, and settings, would go a long way to improving the process. Propose how that would be done, and JRiver might consider it. Jim is unlikely to ask for a sketch though jkauff, though sometimes he does ask for specific input like that.
Waving at Jim.