Have an idea, but need help realizing it (1 Viewer)

[Spragleknas]

Hi community!

For a long time I've been twisting my head, trying to find a neat and simple concept for a basic home screen which could access many plugins/windows with few touches - and still keeping it clean.

I ended up with an idea which uses something similar to tabs (like one got in almost every application nowadays).

Here is a mockup of the idea (not very polished, I know - rounded corners, anyone . Also weather and RSS in bottom +++ is missing):

Description:
- Left/right changes "tab" (group) w/the listed plugins/screens assigned to the group.
- Here, the highlighted group ("movies"-icon) is listed, and the plugin OnlineVideos is selected ([OK] would enter Online Videos)

Due to lack of time and skills (both gfx and XML), I was hoping that someone else would like the idea, and realize this concept for the great Maya skin. Catavaolt has already realized a modified version of it for his PureVisionHD (damn he's fast!), but unfortunately this is not my cup of tea.

Any takers?

 

[funkstar]

I like this idea!

For me the logical categories or tabs would be TV, Movies, Music, Information and Settings.

Personally I think this would make MP more user friendly.

 

[Spragleknas]

Hi, funkstar
Making MP more user-friendly is the core of the concept, so I do of course agree with you

Regarding groups/categories, I think your proposal makes sense, but the idea would be to make it easily configurable using <define> in XML. Personally I'd like a "misc."/plugin/others tab (it's only a logo, so no need for naming) for plugins that does not naturally fit under the typical groups, like MediaSlayer etc.

Another approach could be to have a weather tab that, when highlighted, would show forecast for a given number of days.

Also, I think the idea would look good using fanart "maya style" (meaning dimmed).

 

[rekenaar]

Good idea. A bit similar (in functionality, not layout) to some of the menu layouts in x-factor.
This multi-menu concept is one of the many reasons I like cul8er's skins so much.

Seems that the idea is now ported to Purevision and StreamedMP as well. Would be great to add Maya to the list.

Maybe someone with the xml knowledge can use some of cul8er's xml to make this happen in Maya?
In all skins for that matter - you already mentioned the user-friendliness.

 

[tig3r025]

But we can allready put subcategories in BasicHome . Please keep BasicHome as it is now, please please please!

 

[Spragleknas]

The idea here is to create a mod. Not a new standard BHS for Maya

 

[joostzilla]

A new and logical basichome screen is the holy grale for MP/Maya i guess.
I've been trying new concepts at a regular basis but not one seems really better than we have now.
Your 'tab' idea is indeed a logical choice but does not really differ from existing bhs. Imho icons are great but for most people normal text selections works quicker. Except if the icons are 'archytipical' offcourse. So if we make a 'tabs icons' (with text subs) bhs than the choice of icons would be limited to widely accepted illustrations. That would not neccesarely be a problem though. Just needs more consideration.

In the community there seems to be a great preference for horizontal menus. I find that typical. Selecting from a vertical menu is far more logical. Although horizontal menus are great when using touchscreens and icons. Thats the reason that in Maya we dont use that much icons and do use just plain text.

Cul8er just integrated his new menustructure in the new skin 2level. On every screen the bhs menu is available. That idea appeals to me. No seperate homescreen. Just navigating from within mp's plugins.

@Sprangleknas: How about making your 'tabs menu' available on every screen in every plugin.
Pro's:
- not having to get back to bhs to switch plugin.
- Quicker navigation.
- Could be mapped to a remote key.
- No need for a overly designed and otherwise useless bhs. The menu could be automatically triggered when mp opens the last used plugin.
- No rss. (who reads rss feeds anyway. This isnt the nineties)

Cons:
- All of the above for people who really love their basichomescreen.

If we can make this work i would be glad to implement it in Maya.


Personally i dont use the bhs that much though since almost all plugins can be reached directly from my Harmony One touchscreen remote. (lets ship a Harmony One with MP for all users. )

 

[Spragleknas]

Hi and thanks for your input, Joostzilla.
Your ideas sounds very interesting (although I haven't yet created "screens in my head").

Worth keeping in mind is that every increase of WAF - and limitation in MP that we stumble upon - might benefit the MP2 development.

 

[el_gato]

AW: Re: Have an idea, but need help realizing it

(lets ship a Harmony One with MP for all users. )

+1! need one of those finally^^

i like this concept - the only thing i fear is that i will be captured in these menus forever and never find out if there are too much (like in catavolts implemention with 10 menus) so please keep it clear, intuitive and simple...

 

[Spragleknas]

Progress update:
Done: Nothing

(Damn I wish I had more time and skinning skills...)