FlashDeck - Page 5

Cris · 03-23-2006, 07:03 PM

Wow!!!

Looks very different from the first version...

GizmoQ · 03-24-2006, 01:38 AM

This is an outstanding concept for Road Runner. Too bad I'll probably never get it running on my setup, but thats what upgrades are for.

Couple comments:
1. Can you make the submenu items expandable/compressable? (better explained wit #2 below)

2. Can you make the submenus configurable like CDR's MC 2.0, i.e., a separate text file that calls up the menuitems? I would like to be able to change the submenus to match one of my old skins:

The only reason I abandoned this skin was because I couldn't get the submenus ignored when escaping back to the previous screens. Seems like your flash avoids this problem. Also, with collapsable/expandable configurable submenus ala CDRSkull's MC 2.0 users could add menu items like my video submenu to suit their tastes, or like my audio submenu could be reduced for those without XM, FM or expanded for those who want to add Sirius.

3. While you're considering what to put at the bottom, could I suggest the lower left corner as a prime location for an always on-screen Vol+/-,Mute buttons.

4. Would it be too much trouble adding a clock to the logo flash? (I don't have a clock anymore since these came out)

5. Would a "Traffic" button go under NAV or Tools?

6. I noticed the song artist- title label at the top doesn't scroll. Is this a limitation of flash or can this be changed?

7. Is there a second page to the EQ settings screen with Winamp, Master, and Mixer sliders? This could easily be added as another button on top next to "POS" button. Also I knew something was different about that eq - it has 9 sliders, whereas, winamp has 10. The 16K slider is missing.

Flash is about to redefine the carputer front-end!!!! Keep up the effort, your skills are way too valuable to the community!!! I can only dream of having my comment read by such a master, let alone implemented. Take them for what they're worth, your time is valuable to me too cause I want to try this skin as soon as its ready.

DiNASTY · 03-24-2006, 02:13 AM

1 & 2. This is very possible, in-fact I thought about doing this to begin with. (Just don't have the time really) I can offer updates in the future to allow for this.

3. I was wondering who would be the first to notice that there's no volume control

lol... I was actually thinking that they would go nice along side the menu button at the top (just push the artist-title label to the right) but i will consider and try out the bottom left.

4. This is planned (*also thinking about weather) but there's always room on the info screen for this sort of stuff as well

5. I have an open slot on NAV so I'll add it there

6. This is a tricky one. I have a couple of ideas but have yet to try them. If i do get it to slide, i think it will look good with the right faded out like that...

7. Woops

, *easy fix There is room to the right of the eq for some stuff, but if I have to make another screen I will

Thanks very much for your comments, -Din

BTW, I can't believe how close my menu is to your skin there... I swear to god I didn't copy or even know about it before. I guess great minds think alike

DK888 · 03-24-2006, 03:31 AM

VERY nice work!!

xuri · 03-24-2006, 08:19 AM

i have a pentium 3 550 mhz, 256 mb ram. Runs ok in this computer?

nameeri · 03-24-2006, 12:39 PM

Watched the video of that skin at work and I will say what everyone else has said:

HOLY CRAP!!

05MaXSL · 03-24-2006, 01:24 PM

Great job so far, I can't wait to try this out.

pwcmed · 03-24-2006, 01:36 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by xuri

i have a pentium 3 550 mhz, 256 mb ram. Runs ok in this computer?

Did some get a beta version?

Quattro · 03-24-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by pwcmed

Did some get a beta version?

he's asking a question.

don't u see the "?"

DiNASTY · 03-24-2006, 02:12 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by xuri

Runs ok in this computer?

I'm pretty sure it will, but maybe a bit slow. I'll release versions and subsequent updates for testing just like CdR did with the Xeon skin.

Cris · 03-24-2006, 05:14 PM

Is it ready yet?

GizmoQ · 03-25-2006, 05:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by DiNASTY

Thanks very much for your comments, -Din

BTW, I can't believe how close my menu is to your skin there... I swear to god I didn't copy or even know about it before. I guess great minds think alike

Hey, I took it as flattery, I could care less about where your idea came from. I'm more concerned about where this is going. Love it so far!!!

Here's another aspect of my skin you might want to consider: Since the main menu buttons you see on mine are always on-screen, I utilized the space to the right of the main menu buttons for task specific sub buttons which change depending on the functions needed, i.e., below is just the button side of the audio player, FM Radio, XM Radio, and Nav. Your skin is even better suited to this type theme because the main menu options drop down. You could put the function specific buttons along the left border where my main ones are.

Last request for now - when brainstorming Nav layout, consider maximizing height. I don't know about you, but I use the full height (top to bottom) of my screen for nav. I know this means I have to give up the song title real estate and change the flow of the background, but every little bit I can see in front of me helps and the sides are worthless until I need to turn. I have examples if you're interested in pursuing this.

You got skills, I just got ideas

My ultimate goal was ergonomics - put the same button on ever screen in the same place. Once I learn/memorize where it is, I can pay more attention to driving.

Arathranar · 03-25-2006, 01:06 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by GizmoQ

You got skills, I just got ideas

My ultimate goal was ergonomics - put the same button on ever screen in the same place. Once I learn/memorize where it is, I can pay more attention to driving.

Too many buttons! Aargh, it scares me!

Consistency is definitely a key requirement for skins but with so many buttons even once you've learn where they are, you'll still have to pay close attention to hit the right one.

Skins need more structure so we have fewer but much bigger buttons. It's one of the things I really like about the OEM navigation system in my wife's new Civic Hybrid. You have to got through a few more pages to get things done but the buttons are all enormous.

xuri · 03-25-2006, 05:40 PM

dinasty if you need a beta tester ( on pentium 3 ) , i can.

Actually, i have the mc2 skin and runs GOOD.

GizmoQ · 03-25-2006, 05:47 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Arathranar

Too many buttons! Aargh, it scares me!

Consistency is definitely a key requirement for skins but with so many buttons even once you've learn where they are, you'll still have to pay close attention to hit the right one.

Skins need more structure so we have fewer but much bigger buttons. It's one of the things I really like about the OEM navigation system in my wife's new Civic Hybrid. You have to got through a few more pages to get things done but the buttons are all enormous.

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.

And you're right it did have too many buttons, but that was a design concept decision to do as much as possible with the fewest steps. By the end of fall last year, RR had too many functions being added for me to keep up, so I abandoned it and started modifying Zots. I look forward to where this one is going, this is exactly like what I have been looking for since I abandoned mine.

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