Subtopic	Posts		Updated
	Archive through February 07, 2021	25		02/09 04:56am

I prefer to play the bottom of the map but will take top if my opponent prefers the bottom.

It would be nice to always be at the bottom but definitely not in advance of other ideas that really improve the interface.

By Paul Franz (Andromedan) on Sunday, February 07, 2021 - 01:02 pm: Edit

Jack,
What is your opinion on the hex number labeling? Upside right or upside down?

By Jack Taylor (Jtaylor) on Sunday, February 07, 2021 - 03:31 pm: Edit

I never play with the Hex numbers turned on. I don't think I would like them upside down though if I did.

By Steve Cole (Stevecole) on Sunday, February 07, 2021 - 10:14 pm: Edit

It is even harder to interface with potential players. I have Jean for that, but it's a m
nebulous process.

By Russ Simkins (Madcowak) on Tuesday, February 09, 2021 - 04:56 am: Edit

ERRRR. @#&%(! Microsoft!
Had report nearly done, going to wrap it up tonight. Left the doc open but saved and of course I got a forced update/reboot and it corrupted the stinkin' file. Have another save from last Thurs but lost what I did this weekend. Nothing in the autorecover. I hate you Microsoft. Update this! [Sends a hand signal]
Be a little bit recouping what I lost but should be easier to do the second time.

By Russ Simkins (Madcowak) on Tuesday, February 09, 2021 - 04:59 am: Edit

fwiw, I like the idea of flipping the map. Suggest numbers at bottom of hex but right side up so you can easily see you are in flipped mode and the numbers are easily readable. Upside down promotes human error.

By Paul Franz (Andromedan) on Tuesday, February 09, 2021 - 09:23 pm: Edit

Russ,
Here's hoping you can restore the document from the backup between your ears. :-)

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Thursday, May 09, 2024 - 01:49 am: Edit

It's this project still active?

By Paul Franz (Andromedan) on Thursday, May 09, 2024 - 08:34 pm: Edit

Yes. I am always looking for ideas for updating the look of the client. And what it means to have a "modern" interface.

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Saturday, May 11, 2024 - 01:04 am: Edit

Modern to me is the iconic phone APP. The client otoh is like classic Windows; lots of settings you can tinker with if you are a nerd and like those things, or fight to understand if your are just a common user and is desperate to fix a problem.
(no offense to anyone here! I am just using examples to describe something that needs attention)
For example, the Define chat styles tool. I use this exclusively to highlight everything in the chat so that i can easily find it.
Of course, the tool should be removed, and the various outputs of the chart should come in their own styles from start.

While I am on the chart subject it is problematic to have both communication and system output in the same chat window (the latter should be merged with the activity log. Bonus simplification ^^)
I can't recall (and don't want to!) the number of times i have been in chat conversations while simultaneously trying find something in the chat history. There is the option of pausing scrolling, but that does also break the communication between the players...

I'll be back next week with more input

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 - 11:56 pm: Edit

To figure out how to modernize sfbol one needs to ask “why? “.
Using SFBOL always involves tedious navigation through multiple tabs and windows, leading to time wastage and mental fatigue.
Having a dual-monitor setup can alleviate some of these issues by allowing players to keep essential elements visible. That is however like the newspapers telling its readers to get glasses when the font is too small to see properly.

My answer to the original question “why” is therefore: modernize the client to make it so easy to use that players only need think on the tactics.
This entails adopting a "less is more" philosophy, providing only the essential elements necessary for gameplay without overwhelming players with unnecessary clutter.
How would I go about doing this?

• Remove all non-essential parts and create an interface with a flat structure, akin to a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get)
• No game control or scroll down menus. Tabs are ok.

• Pertinent information should be readily accessible on the main screen without the need to switch tabs or floating windows. This includes crucial details like upcoming speeds for the next impulse or four, tractor energy etc. Speed plots etc. Automatic phaser damage calculator is a no brainer, as is movement buttons.

• Resources and tools for multi ship battles need to be retained, but moved elsewhere.

By Paul Franz (Andromedan) on Sunday, May 19, 2024 - 09:46 pm: Edit

I like your ideas basically simplify the client. Trim down the number of tabs.

Remove some of the menus. I was thinking of changing the collection of menus related to board customizations to a window that there are tabs for each kind.

Remove the tools from the client and put them in a separate app

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Monday, May 20, 2024 - 05:55 am: Edit

"Remove some of the menus. I was thinking of changing the collection of menus related to board customizations to a window that there are tabs for each kind."

Yes, Customization are usually set once and then o ly revisited when they have been inadvertently changed for a reason or another.

Otoh, I think what is used often should be easier to access - myself I use the range tracker in every game, but it's hidden in the menus
Moving customizations could make room for such features in a more prominent place


"Remove the tools from the client and put them in a separate app"
or they could be moved to the bullpen menus?
Perhaps as an option in the "Game" menu?

Btw, when starting the client you have three windows, and can start a games from two of them.
A good example of unnecessary redundancy.

By Paul Franz (Andromedan) on Monday, May 20, 2024 - 01:47 pm: Edit

Good idea about making the range tracker more prominent. I think it is the most used in-game tool.

When it comes to the three windows. Actually, that is kind of a bug. I have corrected it. The chat window for the Bullpen should not be a separate window.

I will also re-visit the menus. It is one of those things that I keep going back to, to remove things that I don't think are used or not used enough.

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Monday, May 20, 2024 - 02:36 pm: Edit

the string is another play aid i use much. It is handy to mark the potential positions of ships a few impulses in advance.

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - 06:20 am: Edit

Hey Paul,

What do you think about adding a "spectator" login option? I have someone on Facebook who's interested in logging in to watch the duel between Geof and Peter on Wednesday.

I imagine a big "Spectate Only" button that allows users to enter the platform, but only lets them join a game room without any other interactions.

What do you think?

By Paul Franz (Andromedan) on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - 01:55 pm: Edit

Is this for a tournament or non-tournament games?

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - 04:12 pm: Edit

Paul, I received this response to my announcement on Facebook about an upcoming tournament duel: "How would one log into your watch?"

That made me realize that people like to see a product before they buy it, right? So perhaps one should lower the barrier to entry.

That login dialog isn't helpful:/

By Paul Franz (Andromedan) on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - 06:01 pm: Edit

The login dialog blocks people that are spammers, scammers and rude people overall.

All people need to do is register a callsign with a valid Email address and they can login for free.

They will be able to see any tournament ships. Non-tournament ships currently show only a Text-based SSD.

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - 01:17 am: Edit

[nods] Yeah, I can see that need, and that's why the idea was for a 'no interaction' spectate option. However I realise now that I was overlooking the fact that whoever got that far actually have downloaded and installed the client, and thus can be assumed to have passed the hurdle LoL!

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Monday, May 27, 2024 - 05:08 pm: Edit

The "Exit game" and "Exit client" commands are adjacent each other in the scroll down menu.
Wouldn't hurt if they were separated, and then maybe remove the the request for confirmation windows. To me it appears superfluous; I don't think I ever quit a game or the client by mistake.

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 - 01:32 am: Edit

The "Show/hide the position numbers" button could perhaps be moved. It is I think more of a setting thing, rarely changed during play.

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 - 01:43 am: Edit

I know these latest post are just minor improvements and not a "Modern look" thing.

To use paint program a come up with what I personally think the client to look like felt cumbersome and old fashioned, so I looked for AI tools.
Found something called - Uizard - that are for interface design and that can work from screenshots(!). That is pretty useful.

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Sunday, July 28, 2024 - 07:03 pm: Edit

Paul, it would be nice to recieve an update notification when logging in.

By Carl-Magnus Carlsson (Hardcore) on Monday, January 06, 2025 - 08:37 pm: Edit

After my recent experience I am content with a client revision focusing more on ease of use than modern looks..