Developers/Graphic Designers Unite!! -- The Front End Collaboration Thread

**Jirka Jirout** · 03-09-2006, 03:49 AM

Originally Posted by CArringt

what kindof of gui layout would everyone like?

Simple, easy to read, easy to use. Certainly no 3D effects and photorealistic icons or images.

**MacUsers** · 03-09-2006, 06:54 AM

Originally Posted by Jirka Jirout

Certainly no 3D effects

I better stop working on mine then

kidding!!!......

**CArringt** · 03-09-2006, 08:14 AM

you can have it simple and easy to use and still have 3d effects. ie (frontrow)

**Jirka Jirout** · 03-09-2006, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by CArringt

you can have it simple and easy to use and still have 3d effects. ie (frontrow)

That's quite questionable - what about readability? I have rather dark tinted windows (absorbing 80% of light), very bright industrial LCD screen and even so I do experience problems from time to time. I tried several alternatives (by putting images on the screen) - FrontRow, screenshots of some Linux front-ends, some stuff you guys posted in this forum and none (except for a truly B&W image with large text) was completely without problems.

**zapwizard** · 03-09-2006, 10:08 AM

Front Row's "3D" effects are deceiving.
They are 2D images moved and scaled around, simulating 3D.
Which is easy and probably what I would do.

I like the Front Row interface in the car because of glare.
You get no tactile feedback on a touchscreen, I find it very hard to remember exactly where a button is on the screen, let alone hit it blind. (Either by not looking, or by not being able to see it due to glare)

You could associate a small sound with each icon in the interface, and just scroll through them gesture style. It could be done blind, keeping your eyes on the road.

Due to the number of extra icons I would probably opt for a off-screen (Camera in the middle) view, rather then a loop (camera outside the loop) view.

There is no reason a traditional front-end could also be used ontop of the same code.
Also I am thinking of mixing both a traditional and front-row style interface.
In the middle is the 3D style icons.
At the top, buttons to commonly used functions (dock style)
At the bottom, common functions keys (Volume, play, rewind, forward)

**MacUsers** · 03-09-2006, 10:22 AM

I don’t think Front Row style GUI is good for an interface with more than 4/5 objects. And I also think it’s not really that easy to use on touch screens, especially when driving. Remote may be the best way to go with Front Row.

**CArringt** · 03-09-2006, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by zapwizard

Due to the number of extra icons I would probably opt for a off-screen (Camera in the middle) view, rather then a loop (camera outside the loop) view.

There is no reason a traditional front-end could also be used ontop of the same code.
Also I am thinking of mixing both a traditional and front-row style interface.
In the middle is the 3D style icons.
At the top, buttons to commonly used functions (dock style)
At the bottom, common functions keys (Volume, play, rewind, forward)

I'm not quite understandeing what you're talking about as far as camera positions. i understand that front row currently has the "camera outside the loop" view. But i can't picture what you're talking about inside the circle. in my mind that puts everything in a row that shifts to the right or left like "Center Stage".

I do like you idea of having the common keys on the screen but i think they should be hidden and set transparent unless the screen is touched or whatever. kind of like what we are building for the front row interface.

**zapwizard** · 03-09-2006, 12:03 PM

Ya "Camera in the loop" would be like center stage, with the icons moving left and right as you scroll. (And move off screen)
I would also like to make the GUI customizable, so you don't have to have icons you don't want (photos for example).

The function keys at the top would change depending on the function screen or icon you are on. They would be transpartent, and would fade away when you are playing music.

Basicly the idea is to make it as few steps as possible to do what you want.
Example: To play music - Scroll to the iPod - you now have two options: click one of the function keys at the top of the screen (Random play, Favorites, Resume playlist, whatever...)
Or press the iPod icon to get a more detailed menu (Front Row style, with all songs and playlists listed)

Another idea would be a dock style interface, with the 3D icons all at the bottom and all functions in the area above.

**CArringt** · 03-09-2006, 04:00 PM

i personally wouldn't really care for a dock setup, well i don't think i would. what do you think about have two different loops. meaning one going horizontal and one going vertical. you could approach this in different ways.

1. imagine the camera being outside the loop and the emphasis being on selected orcenter icon like it is in front row. only repeat the same kind of loop vertically. meaning from the center selected icon you could alternatively go to four different applications by pressing up, down, left, or right by touching just outside the center icon in the general directions.

or

2. on your view inside the loop you could have the vertical loop cycle through most commonly used tasks for that program. ex. music (vertical loop is playlists, shuffle, genre,.... whatever)

i don't know. i'm just throwing crap out there.

**zapwizard** · 03-09-2006, 09:37 PM

Here is a simulation of what it may be like:
(rough spacing and sizing again)

Open in a 800x600 window and use the scroll bar to move back and forth.
http://static.flickr.com/47/110320987_e8fab81b28_o.jpg