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ondabeach · 05-01-2009, 06:09 PM

Hi X,

I actually find mobibpocket a terrible program to use. Features are easily implemented by any competent programmer but the secret to a good piece of software is it's UI. To appreciate the term UI you have to think about what it really is, obviously everyone knows it stands for user interface. But.... rather than seeing it as a paradigm, which is how we perceive things, if you look at mobipocket User Interface it is woeful, not to pick on mobipocket, I think they're all pretty terrible.

People read books for pleasure, well that is the market I am targeting anyhow, and it is crucial for app developers to imagine that their users have never seen a computer before.

User Interfaces should be as intuitive as a paper book. The UI should tell you exactly what to do to achieve your goal. In the case of a mobile device book reader it is (IMHO) crucial that you can do everything with the touch or flick of a thumb. When I'm lying in bed at night reading, the last thing I want to do is pull out the stylus and hunt through menus just to increase the font size. Basically that rules out any kind of traditional menu which requires the use of a stylus or that you have tiny fingers or long fingernails AND really good eyesight.

Being an app developer is about having real empathy for the user and catering to people of all levels of exposure to computers/gadgets etc.

I know I have a tough road ahead of me, but hey, I like a challenge. I honestly believe that if you were to try ZuluReader you would understand what I mean and think 'wow, so that's what a UI should be like'. As far as features go at the moment, forget it ZuluReader is just out of the womb. But I am looking for beta users now so that I add the features that people want and need in a prioritised manner. If I whacked in a heap of features that I thought people wanted before beta testing I only have to go back and reinvent the wheel.

If you can convert your books to RTF and you simply want to read novels on a PPC then ZuluReader is an absolute breath of fresh air (IMHO).

On the topic of platforms, I will be creating versions for other platforms once I am satisfied that I have satisfied the requirements for users on Win Mobile.

Anyhow, thanks for the comment..... and watch this space.... I'm a dog with a bone.... a horse with the bit between my teeth.... a man on a mission..... etc etc.

Cheers,

Steve.

05-01-2009, 06:09 PM	#8
ondabeach Groupie Posts: 193 Karma: 192 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Vanuatu Device: HTC touch Diamond, Ipaq 3115	Hi X, I actually find mobibpocket a terrible program to use. Features are easily implemented by any competent programmer but the secret to a good piece of software is it's UI. To appreciate the term UI you have to think about what it really is, obviously everyone knows it stands for user interface. But.... rather than seeing it as a paradigm, which is how we perceive things, if you look at mobipocket User Interface it is woeful, not to pick on mobipocket, I think they're all pretty terrible. People read books for pleasure, well that is the market I am targeting anyhow, and it is crucial for app developers to imagine that their users have never seen a computer before. User Interfaces should be as intuitive as a paper book. The UI should tell you exactly what to do to achieve your goal. In the case of a mobile device book reader it is (IMHO) crucial that you can do everything with the touch or flick of a thumb. When I'm lying in bed at night reading, the last thing I want to do is pull out the stylus and hunt through menus just to increase the font size. Basically that rules out any kind of traditional menu which requires the use of a stylus or that you have tiny fingers or long fingernails AND really good eyesight. Being an app developer is about having real empathy for the user and catering to people of all levels of exposure to computers/gadgets etc. I know I have a tough road ahead of me, but hey, I like a challenge. I honestly believe that if you were to try ZuluReader you would understand what I mean and think 'wow, so that's what a UI should be like'. As far as features go at the moment, forget it ZuluReader is just out of the womb. But I am looking for beta users now so that I add the features that people want and need in a prioritised manner. If I whacked in a heap of features that I thought people wanted before beta testing I only have to go back and reinvent the wheel. If you can convert your books to RTF and you simply want to read novels on a PPC then ZuluReader is an absolute breath of fresh air (IMHO). On the topic of platforms, I will be creating versions for other platforms once I am satisfied that I have satisfied the requirements for users on Win Mobile. Anyhow, thanks for the comment..... and watch this space.... I'm a dog with a bone.... a horse with the bit between my teeth.... a man on a mission..... etc etc. Cheers, Steve.