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I've just found this thread and it is good that it was started, but i think it is going the wrong way. With all due respect, the problem is that too many layman seem to believe too strongly in their beliefs. Now, I'm all for focusing on the actual user, but more for prototyping and feedback. Creating intuitive interfaces is actually quite hard, which can be seen from the many faulty software that is out there (including many windows applications). Emphatic is, quite destructively, changing the focus to a part that does not need actual fixing and would be a complete waste of time (and I mean COMPLETE). I stress this still after so many before me, because I wish to shock you into accepting that you are actually being the arrogant one emphatic. Failing to accept a common view that is shared by every single developer is brave nor wise. It is ignorance and (in your case) a failure to understand the basic logic behind the system.So, having said that, it might be a good idea to first define a target user for which to design a new implementation and to accept that the changes are probably so intensive that they only will be in MP2. That is of course unless someone has the skill and time to make their own plug in (I doubt it). It would be a better time investment to get it good/better for MP2 right out of the box.For me the user that should need the focus has the following set up or at least parts of it:- A large collection of correctly tagged music files (no lazy users, they'll have to man up and realise that this is by FAR the best way)- A large wide-screen TV (This aspect will influence the design heavily, afterwards it could be dumbed down to 3/4. The other way around would restrict design choices for 16/9 based on a much smaller 3/4 user base)- A (MCE style) remote he/she prefers to use (fast selecting is based on remote, all use cases use a remote)- A girlfriend and several friends that use the system (Easy and intuitive, maybe with some initial coaching from the user)- An internet connection (Lookups, scrobbling, music video's etc.)- Little time or interest in configuring views etc. (Super configurability is great, but I believe it is better to restrict and excel at the few options available)- After initial set up wants to go back to the configuration as little as possible (so automatic updates of the database built-in)As has been mentioned, when I look at this list, most problems are skin-based, with some extra coding. I think about these extra or more refined features:- The main selection screen needs to be modified heavily. I'll try to make some mock-ups soon. My thinking is, the current view only is the best in a very specific situation, where you want to almost aimlessly browse your collection, which i do sometimes. For this specific task one could design a much better view. But for quickly selecting songs and building a playlist, other views are much more preferable.- My default view would be simply a list of songs, alphabetically. Big, maybe even backdrops if there is a HD source with album art displayed quite big. One then uses the remote buttons to filter the list moving-pictures style (so NO SMS style). Clearly visible should be 3 or so filtering options that can be switched by one of the remote buttons: ALL (searches every tag), Artist, song, maybe album. This will enable the user to really quickly select artists or specific songs, without having to modify the view as is now the case.- Another view could be more catered to parties etc. Not sure how it would look, but it would focus more on browsing through everything and use genres. A playlist visible would be usefull.- Now playing: Integration of backdrops and lyrics. I would make the albumart a video window that can also display video files. Make it possible for people to easily search for videos on youtube, MTV whatever. If a good match was found, save this link in the database. A central database where users could do lookups would be great, but i don't think this really exists? An option to change the audio to be from the video or the audio file. Maybe even manual synching (can't really see this happening without being cumbersome though). The whole video business could wait for a later release as it might get complex really quickly, but it would be a software seller I think.- I think of a 'first user' mode, where information is shown on the screen regarding the buttons on the remote and what actions they perform. This mode can then be turned of in mediaportal itself, when the user feels comfortable. This will hopefully convince people to use this instead of share views and will ensure that a user uses all options available to him to the fullest.I think you get the general idea. The main screen will be more catered to type of user or situation and how the intended music can be selected as quickly and intuitively as possible. The other view is more catered to creating an as clear and comprehensive overview of the whole collection as possible, intended for people not aware of everything that is in the actual collection.There is probably much more to think of and to refine, but personally I like this approach. Fewer actions are needed to the 'sidebar', that for me breaks the 'flow' of the program and is a rather ugly solution.To be honest this type of review is necessary for all of Mediaportal's main programs. However, tv series and movies are now already done great by my tv-series and moving pictures and the TV-server and plugin work ok (only thing that really needs work is the recording part imo).
I've just found this thread and it is good that it was started, but i think it is going the wrong way. With all due respect, the problem is that too many layman seem to believe too strongly in their beliefs. Now, I'm all for focusing on the actual user, but more for prototyping and feedback. Creating intuitive interfaces is actually quite hard, which can be seen from the many faulty software that is out there (including many windows applications). Emphatic is, quite destructively, changing the focus to a part that does not need actual fixing and would be a complete waste of time (and I mean COMPLETE). I stress this still after so many before me, because I wish to shock you into accepting that you are actually being the arrogant one emphatic. Failing to accept a common view that is shared by every single developer is brave nor wise. It is ignorance and (in your case) a failure to understand the basic logic behind the system.
So, having said that, it might be a good idea to first define a target user for which to design a new implementation and to accept that the changes are probably so intensive that they only will be in MP2. That is of course unless someone has the skill and time to make their own plug in (I doubt it). It would be a better time investment to get it good/better for MP2 right out of the box.
For me the user that should need the focus has the following set up or at least parts of it:
- A large collection of correctly tagged music files (no lazy users, they'll have to man up and realise that this is by FAR the best way)
- A large wide-screen TV (This aspect will influence the design heavily, afterwards it could be dumbed down to 3/4. The other way around would restrict design choices for 16/9 based on a much smaller 3/4 user base)
- A (MCE style) remote he/she prefers to use (fast selecting is based on remote, all use cases use a remote)
- A girlfriend and several friends that use the system (Easy and intuitive, maybe with some initial coaching from the user)
- An internet connection (Lookups, scrobbling, music video's etc.)
- Little time or interest in configuring views etc. (Super configurability is great, but I believe it is better to restrict and excel at the few options available)
- After initial set up wants to go back to the configuration as little as possible (so automatic updates of the database built-in)
As has been mentioned, when I look at this list, most problems are skin-based, with some extra coding. I think about these extra or more refined features:
- The main selection screen needs to be modified heavily. I'll try to make some mock-ups soon. My thinking is, the current view only is the best in a very specific situation, where you want to almost aimlessly browse your collection, which i do sometimes. For this specific task one could design a much better view. But for quickly selecting songs and building a playlist, other views are much more preferable.
- My default view would be simply a list of songs, alphabetically. Big, maybe even backdrops if there is a HD source with album art displayed quite big. One then uses the remote buttons to filter the list moving-pictures style (so NO SMS style). Clearly visible should be 3 or so filtering options that can be switched by one of the remote buttons: ALL (searches every tag), Artist, song, maybe album. This will enable the user to really quickly select artists or specific songs, without having to modify the view as is now the case.
- Another view could be more catered to parties etc. Not sure how it would look, but it would focus more on browsing through everything and use genres. A playlist visible would be usefull.
- Now playing: Integration of backdrops and lyrics. I would make the albumart a video window that can also display video files. Make it possible for people to easily search for videos on youtube, MTV whatever. If a good match was found, save this link in the database. A central database where users could do lookups would be great, but i don't think this really exists? An option to change the audio to be from the video or the audio file. Maybe even manual synching (can't really see this happening without being cumbersome though). The whole video business could wait for a later release as it might get complex really quickly, but it would be a software seller I think.
- I think of a 'first user' mode, where information is shown on the screen regarding the buttons on the remote and what actions they perform. This mode can then be turned of in mediaportal itself, when the user feels comfortable. This will hopefully convince people to use this instead of share views and will ensure that a user uses all options available to him to the fullest.
I think you get the general idea. The main screen will be more catered to type of user or situation and how the intended music can be selected as quickly and intuitively as possible. The other view is more catered to creating an as clear and comprehensive overview of the whole collection as possible, intended for people not aware of everything that is in the actual collection.
There is probably much more to think of and to refine, but personally I like this approach. Fewer actions are needed to the 'sidebar', that for me breaks the 'flow' of the program and is a rather ugly solution.
To be honest this type of review is necessary for all of Mediaportal's main programs. However, tv series and movies are now already done great by my tv-series and moving pictures and the TV-server and plugin work ok (only thing that really needs work is the recording part imo).
