Any help for a new UI ?

[=?iso-8859-1?Q?Herv=E9?= Thouzard]

Hi,

I'm the author of a program to rename files. It's UI is like the Windows
Explorer. Actually my program can't be resized and I'm working on this.
But it's hard because my actual UI is full of options (may be a mistake
when I began to create it). I'm searching for a new way to show it.
If someone can help me and/or give me any idea, it will be great !

The actual program can be downloaded from here :
http://www.multimania.com/hervet/therename.htm

I've made a first version of my program, sizeable, you can see some
pictures of it here :
http://www.multimania.com/hervet/newlook.htm


Bye,
Hervé

[Shawn K. Hall]

Hervé,

Looking at your screen-shots, I can make a couple recommendations:

1. Move the folders/options to the left side of the form. It's more
consistent with windows that way, and it will minimize the user
learning curve to have that change.

2. Assuming that each "option" is of limited actual content - only one
or two items (like "Add a counter" or a date/time field) you would be
better off using something like a listview (vertical) to select your
option than a tab control (horizontal). This will enable you to use
the space more effectively, perhaps eliminating the need for a
horizontal scrollbar on the file list.

Regards,

Shawn K. Hall
Programmer / Analyst
*Please* post/respond in the newsgroups!


"Hervé Thouzard" <hthouzard@rsi.fr> wrote in message
news:38F1D0C7.9571376E@rsi.fr...
> Hi,
>
> I'm the author of a program to rename files. It's UI is like the
Windows
> Explorer. Actually my program can't be resized and I'm working on
this.
> But it's hard because my actual UI is full of options (may be a
mistake
> when I began to create it). I'm searching for a new way to show it.
> If someone can help me and/or give me any idea, it will be great !
>
> The actual program can be downloaded from here :
> http://www.multimania.com/hervet/therename.htm
>
> I've made a first version of my program, sizeable, you can see some
> pictures of it here :
> http://www.multimania.com/hervet/newlook.htm
>
>
> Bye,
> Hervé

[Tim Cowan]

Hi Herve

Looking at the screen shots, my first impression is that it looks really
complicated! The screen looks very 'busy' with lots of buttons and tabs
(which I personally hate) to distract my eyes.

My suggestion would be to clean up the interface. I would hide a lot of the
features so that when the program is first started the user can accomplish
his/her tasks relatively easily. Once the user is more comfortable with the
program then let them add other 'complications' to it. Don't hit them with
it up front.

The second pane looks much better, not so intimidating, and similar to
windows explorer so why not switch the folders and files around, like
explorer? Don't make the user unlearn something unless you have a good
reason for it (and you may)

I can recommend a couple of good books on the subject: 'About Face' and
'The Inmates are running the asylum' both by Alan Cooper. These are
quintessential reading if you want a good UI design.

You can also catch Alan at VBITS last year on video via the web, well worth
a watch
http://www.devx.com/free/press/2000/032900.asp

This is only my never to be humble opinion. I hope this helps

Tim



"Hervé Thouzard" <hthouzard@rsi.fr> wrote in message
news:38F1D0C7.9571376E@rsi.fr...
> Hi,
>
> I'm the author of a program to rename files. It's UI is like the Windows
> Explorer. Actually my program can't be resized and I'm working on this.
> But it's hard because my actual UI is full of options (may be a mistake
> when I began to create it). I'm searching for a new way to show it.
> If someone can help me and/or give me any idea, it will be great !
>
> The actual program can be downloaded from here :
> http://www.multimania.com/hervet/therename.htm
>
> I've made a first version of my program, sizeable, you can see some
> pictures of it here :
> http://www.multimania.com/hervet/newlook.htm
>
>
> Bye,
> Hervé