FlashDeck

**Arathranar** · 03-27-2006, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by GizmoQ

True, you're absolutely right. Big buttins require more pages/more steps to accomplish some tasks. That's a major trade-off designers face: simplicity vs utility.

The important thing to remember is that utility != minimum number of clicks. Often simpler does equal more usable because you aren't hitting the user in the face with too many options for them to comprehend and/or forcing them to learn the UI arrangement before being effective with it instead of it just being intuitive.

Some examples that still confuse me:

Play list add buttons often have a confusing non-obvious icon.
Play list replace buttons look pretty darn similar.

On the Civic Hybrid Nav computer, you select an album (if in album mode) and it gives you two very big buttons with text describing what it will do. You could argue it's less pretty (and you'd be right) but at 70mph and/or to a brand new user, it's a much much better design. That kind of approach generally carries through the entire Civic nav system such that the few cases they missed really stand out (e.g. no intuitive way to add the current location to your gps favorites).

I have to think about it each time I use the BMV* skins since they music addition UI is so darn complicated with so many options I just don't need 99% of the time.

My wife had absolutely no idea how to use the BMV skin. I had to sit down and explain it to her which is complete and utter failure in my eyes. If my wife gets it and can use it without instructions, then that's 'adequate'. If she gets it and doesn't have any complaints, that's 'success'.

I can't wait until I get time to rev my build of RR so I can switch back to my very simplified skin. I just wish I had some photoshop skills so I could make it prettier!

**wishbone** · 03-27-2006, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by DiNASTY

iG with sendkeys

However, MM & FD support is just a matter of changing a few commands.

iG is what I use, so sounds good to me. Let me know if you need someone to help you beta it.

**shrinkydinx** · 03-27-2006, 04:31 PM

in for later

**RoyN** · 03-27-2006, 06:11 PM

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Could I add a request for a directory-list-player version? bsically, instead of having a "browser" and then having to populate a "plylist" VERYTIME you want music to play, you substitute the music playlist with the directory list, so you can browse your HD and play songs with one click...

I wrote a simple tutorial about how to adapt a skin to use this, but I dont think Flash skins like flashdeck can be changed easily/at all...

Would you be able to look into that possibly? it is really a simple change in regular skins I expect it to be simple for you...

PS: my "tutorials" are at: Is there a Skin with directory browsing? & Is there a Skin with directory browsing? there it has a patch for kuo's skin, as well as step-by-step instructions for converting any skin... it would be cool if you could supply two versions, but I realize it might not be worth your while... anyways, this is really nice and I thougt i'd ask so i'd be able to use it in my car.. thanks!

**replicant** · 03-27-2006, 07:02 PM

here here, i have my genres setup in seperate folders on the harddrive so directory browsing too is preferred.

Originally Posted by RoyN

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Could I add a request for a directory-list-player version? bsically, instead of having a "browser" and then having to populate a "plylist" VERYTIME you want music to play, you substitute the music playlist with the directory list, so you can browse your HD and play songs with one click...

I wrote a simple tutorial about how to adapt a skin to use this, but I dont think Flash skins like flashdeck can be changed easily/at all...

Would you be able to look into that possibly? it is really a simple change in regular skins I expect it to be simple for you...

PS: my "tutorials" are at: Is there a Skin with directory browsing? & Is there a Skin with directory browsing? there it has a patch for kuo's skin, as well as step-by-step instructions for converting any skin... it would be cool if you could supply two versions, but I realize it might not be worth your while... anyways, this is really nice and I thougt i'd ask so i'd be able to use it in my car.. thanks!

**DiNASTY** · 03-27-2006, 07:08 PM

I'll look into it.

ATM the directory list is limited to FOLDER>FILES and cannot go past one directory. Expanding this is at the top of my todo list as I know how differently you all have your music organized.

**Terpz** · 03-29-2006, 06:26 AM

omg DiNASTY.. i always loved you work but holy sh** you have really overcome your self this time.. keep up the good work m8, cant wait for this to release..

// Martin Terp Jensen

**wilsonj** · 03-29-2006, 01:38 PM

I'd like to third the request for a directory player.

Any ideas when you might have a "beta" available for download?

**DiNASTY** · 03-29-2006, 01:45 PM

Soon... I'll put up a new video tonight of some of the stuff I've been working on and follow up some screens and the beta in a couple of days. I'm gonna have to think about the directory player though

It will not be easy to do