Archive vs Hide on Gmail and Google Docs

Using consistent naming conventions isn't always easy. Especially when you're creating functionality that's new in the marketplace.

One example of this comes from Google, who seems to be trying to figure out the best way to explain hiding files within their applications.

Within Gmail, they've used the term "Archive" for this functionality:

For those of you not familiar with the archive feature, clicking to archive a message in your inbox moves it out of the inbox but doesn't delete it. It's still immediately retrievable through search. It's a great way to file away emails that you've processed after reading or responding. You'll stop wasting time scanning emails you've already dealt with.

Google Docs is another application using this functionality. I use Google Docs to draft a lot of the posts for Technology Evangelist. Once posted, I have little use for my draft, but don't necessarily want to throw it away. Yet I shouldn't have to clutter up my online folders with old drafts.

Archiving old documents solves this problem.

Strangely, Google has changed the term they use for this functionality within Google Docs from "Archive" to "Hide":

Which term do you think best describes this functionality?

Will Google standardize on hide?

Archive feature has saved me lot of time. I can hide my personal emails which I do not want anyone siting with me, to read. I think the word "Hide" describes the feature more efficiently. "Archive" does not mean exactly hiding, which is the function of the feature. Whatever it is named, the function will not change and that is what we users are concerned with. :)

Starred items no longer shows under the "star" tab once they are hidden; whereas archived items do show under the starred category in Gmail.

Michael thanks for pointing out that there is some difference to the functionality. That's news to me.

Comments

1. Posted by: Brad V. on September 10, 2007 12:11 AM:

The "archive" feature in Gmail has saved me a lot of heartache over the two years or so I've been using it. Although the "search" function can be a bit clunky at times (it doesn't always bring up the email I want), I've always managed to find the email I need with relative ease.

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