App should provide some feedback (spinner) while waiting for data to load

[mnalis]

Feedback

Here is example, look e.g. at 00:00:06 there is missing picture and no indication that app is loading it, and it is isn't until 00:00:15 (and that is on the fast wifi!) until picture is loaded and the user is left wondering in the meantime what is happening.

small_Screen_Recording_20240505_044940_Commons.mp4

Another situation is e.g. waiting for categories (see #5316)

In general, procedure when app tries to do some user-initiated (i.e. UI thread) potentially-time-consuming-task (e.g. network-oriented) should be:

• show the "loading..." spinner image (nicer if animated, but not a requirement, can be simple "Please wait..." text on the middle of the screen too)
• start the (network, or other potentially time consuming) task
• wait for task to finish
• remove the spinner

Wiki username

Mnalis

Device name

Samsung Galaxy S23+

Android version

Android 14 (OneUI 6.1)

Commons app version

5.0.1~af028cbdd (latest F-droid)

[vtalos]

I would like to work on this with @karyotakisg. Could we get assigned?

[nicolas-raoul]

@vtalos @karyotakisg It is yours, thanks! :-)