From: scott <die_pokemon_die123_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2004 19:59:48 -0800 (PST)

--- wolf_bulkmail_at_comcast.net wrote:
> I've worked with a couple different usability experts and I must say that we must be very
> careful about applying these UI design rules (i.e. "less than 7 rule" and "no scrolling")
> without careful consideration of our audience.

i agree, especially because the new menu doesn't hold true to either rule very religiously, and
logic doesn't seem to follow all of the places where it breaks.

> You see, one must remember that the person who is smart enough to flash their own Archos player
> is probably well aware of (and comfortable using) more advanced user-interface concepts like
> scrolling and >7 menu lengths.

i do agree with you, however rockbox is used by people who aren't smart enough to flash their
archos, or even install rockbox themselves (for proof see the thread about the installer prgram).

> IMO, the new system may be actually less usable than the former (even though time and patience
> may help me adjust to it over time). To me, it is far more frustrating to drill down a few
> levels only to find that I have to go back up those 2 levels and try going down a another branch
> of the menu structure just to try and find the option I want.

the menu was in need of redoing, but the new one definitely has problems of it's own. for example:
general settings> system> battery> battery capacity is the only option in the battery menu.

> I'd like to see the changes rolled-back at least until such time that a broader survey of the
> user base can be polled. Whether you like the design or or not, the current (now former) menu
> system is typical of most user-interfaces and there is value in following the de-facto standard
> (no matter how it adheres to textbook standards). Also, I think our users are advanced enough
> to handle it and dumbing it down is not necessarily advantageous.

i think it should be left the way it is so that we can find all the stupid annoying bits and fix
them. after that we should have developed a pretty good menu system. maybe the best way to make
sure every user has the options they want easily accessable we could make the first entry Custom
or so, and read from a file every time it's selected.

-scott


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Received on 2004-01-21