[Archived] Marvin ePub reader for iPad

[Faterson]

Originally Posted by orion2001

Not to say that such features shouldn't be considered or included, but I agree that the UI needs to be considered carefully and whether it makes sense to include all options or as suggested by others, have an advanced mode that gives you more flexibility if you truly desire it, without confusing the majority of folks who will use your app (default to the noob friendly UI).

Yes, noob mode definitely should be the default. And I know of no noob who would push that Advanced Settings button -- they're typically scared to death of such things. So, what danger of confusing the noob is there, really, if advanced settings are strictly separated from basic ones? I'd say, no danger.

Off the top of my head, I can remember two software products where I thought the Basic/Advanced settings/controls separation was particularly well executed. One is from my own country, Eset NOD anti-virus (although I no longer use it), and the other is ABBYY FineReader. They both start in noob mode by default, and you can't possibly get lost in advanced settings unless you explicitly activate them.

[orion2001]

Originally Posted by kguil

Thanks Orion. So far the only feature request that needs some careful UI planning, is the "Sets of settings". I've got some good ideas.

Without sounding cheesy, I'm very grateful to the Mobileread community in return. I learnt to love ebooks here (since my first Sony 505) and some of the best feedback and ideas are coming from MR.

Haha, looks like you and I had the same experience then. I was addicted to this place when I got my 505. Now I've gifted it to my wife and I use my iPad for all my reading.

Btw, do you mind if I PM you sometime? I had some questions and needed some advice about software development on IOS (don't worry, I'm not going to be begging for your source code )

[kguil]

Orion, feel free to PM or email.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Faterson

Yes, noob mode definitely should be the default. And I know of no noob who would push that Advanced Settings button -- they're typically scared to death of such things. So, what danger of confusing the noob is there, really, if advanced settings are strictly separated from basic ones? I'd say, no danger.

Way back when I was a noob (we all were once upon a time), I would check advanced features. I still do actually.

Off the top of my head, I can remember two software products where I thought the Basic/Advanced settings/controls separation was particularly well executed. One is from my own country, Eset NOD anti-virus (although I no longer use it), and the other is ABBYY FineReader. They both start in noob mode by default, and you can't possibly get lost in advanced settings unless you explicitly activate them. [/QUOTE]

My router has basic and advanced and the basic is too basic and the advanced may be too advanced for some where they need more then basic but not all of advanced.

So in the case of Marvin, the division of basic/advanced needs to be though out carefully to have basic not be too basic.

[Faterson]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Way back when I was a noob (we all were once upon a time), I would check advanced features. I still do actually.

But that was the budding advanced user in you, you see. Typical novice users don't really do that.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

My router has basic and advanced and the basic is too basic and the advanced may be too advanced for some where they need more then basic but not all of advanced.

Oh, yes! It's possible to mess up the division of basic and advanced features. Which is especially bad if a basic feature is put among advanced features, so that novice users are forced to access advanced settings despite their will.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

So in the case of Marvin, the division of basic/advanced needs to be thought out carefully to have basic not be too basic.

Absolutely.

[adrian1944]

Kris

re your question about Blue Fire features not yet in Marvin

I can think of two that are significant to me

1. The ability to put books in the library into collections
2. The ability to swipe up and down to change brightness. I find on a tablet I change the brightness down over time to make reading easier. Like you i started with the e-ink 505! It is a burden to go into the settings to do this

I do not think any reader yet supports it but i would like to see one with an option to choose which side of screen to touch to advance pages


regards


adrian

[kguil]

Adrian,

Marvin already supports vertical swiping to change brightness as well as customising the page turn direction for any given side of the page.

Library folders will be coming soon.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by adrian1944

Kris

re your question about Bluefire features not yet in Marvin

I can think of two that are significant to me

1. The ability to put books in the library into collections
2. The ability to swipe up and down to change brightness. I find on a tablet I change the brightness down over time to make reading easier. Like you i started with the e-ink 505! It is a burden to go into the settings to do this

I do not think any reader yet supports it but i would like to see one with an option to choose which side of screen to touch to advance pages

While you currently cannot use collections, you can set the gestures to change the brightness and warmth with a 1 or 2 finger up/down swipe.

[Chi Cygni]

Originally Posted by Faterson

Erm, exaggerating much? You forgot to insert the words "for me" into your sentence

I was just thinking. Do this, do that.

Honestly, thanks kguil for your great job. I installed Marvin yesterday when I read about it on MR. Or, should I boss around and say I want it all PINK. With ribbons (why not?). And golden rim and if you add Hello Kitty to it (ok, glasses can stay) I'll be in heaven. I may even skip the "it would be nice if you" or "could you please consider"

[kguil]

OK. I'll let the cat out of the bag. Marvin is coming in pink (but no hello kitty). Really.

[Chi Cygni]

HELLO KITTY OR ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!! [TANTRUM]

[kguil]

Here you go...

[JSWolf]

So what's Marvin going to look like without a screen full of dead authors?

[holymadness]

Kris,

Not all feedback in this thread is equal. Do what's right for your vision of what a superior reading product should be, whether or not it responds to the whims of every critic.

People who say your product is unusable may not be the best givers of advice.

[kguil]

Hi holymadness. To be fair, virtually all of the feedback I got so far was great. Obviously, I'm prioritising everything.