Quote:
Originally Posted by mike_bike_kite
I really wanted Sudoku on my Kindle and was even thinking of having a go at coding it myself. Can I make the following suggestions to make it more useful?
- If a column doesn't start with any numbers then the column is currently compressed - there should be a fixed size for squares. I assume the same thing happens for rows. That should be easy to fix via table formatting or CSS.
- I found it confusing having the title flicking in and out with the number options - it would be better if the number options remained permanently on screen once you start a puzzle.
- There should be a way to clear a number! when I worked out how to add a number to the screen I just added one at random and then found I couldn't remove it. You should just have an empty square alongside the choice of numbers. This bit is essential.
- You can currently have optional numbers showing in a square as well as a final chosen number - this is wrong.
- The method of adding multiple optional numbers to a square is quite confusing - maybe better to have a "mode" choice under the digits where you can either chose to place a final number (that clears the options) or add an optional number.
- Why have the generate options (easy to hard) on screen all time - better to have a settings button where the user picks the level they like to play at then just have 2 buttons for New and Settings.
- The difficulty for the puzzles seemed wrong - even the hard puzzles seemed quite easy.
- The starting numbers should be distinguished in some way - perhaps bold text and/or a background colour of light gray.
- Personally I think the layout could be improved:
- A very small permanent title at the top (or no title at all)
- then the puzzle
- then the digits (plus a clear digit option). This button should stay selected so you could click multiple squares in succession to say add the same digit in multiple squares.
- then a mode button that stays selected and states whether your adding a final number or an optional number.
- finally 2 buttons for New and Settings.
- the separate settings screen would just allow the user to pick the difficulty level, maybe have a timer, maybe show mistakes.
- Is there any way of installing the puzzle on the kindle without going through multiple hoops? I believe html books can be turned into mobi format but I'm not sure whether the active content (your programming) would go with it. This is obviously outside your control but it would make it far easier to install on a kindle.
I know that seems like a lot of complaints but they're just suggestions on how to make the page more appealing and easier to use. I definitely like the idea of Sudoku on the Kindle but just found it a little frustrating as it stands. I don't think these changes would be hard to implement but would make things much easier to use. |
Hello mike_bike_kite, I have addressed a number of the improvements that you have suggested. Hopefully this new version results in a better Sudoku experience. Sadly, to my knowledge, there is no other way to install this, as none of the book formats allow for Javascript, which is essential for the functionality of local web apps.
Attached is the new version of Sudoku for Kindle. If you have any other improvements to suggest, feel free to post here.