Opinions wanted: calibre's new widget style

kovidgoyal · 06-09-2012, 12:01 AM

Hi all,

This week's calibre release has the ability to use a different "widget style" from the default windows/os x styles. This means that buttons/scrollbars/lists etc. are rendered differently. The new style is is generally "cleaner" (less cluttered), has eye candy like hover highlights, gradients on selections and so on. The principal downside to the style is that it makes calibre look less like a native application.

To enable it, install 0.8.55, go to Preferences->Look & Feel and set the user interface style to "Calibre style" and restart calibre.

I'd like opinions, particularly from Windows and OS X users on whether the new style is better/worse, if there are any bugs, and so on. Please use calibre with the new style for at least a couple of hours before posting.

If opinion is generally favorable, I will consider making it the default for future releases. If it does become default and you do not like it, you can use Preferences to go back to the old style.

alansplace · 06-09-2012, 01:33 AM

Using Win 7 and I like the new style.

Valkrider · 06-09-2012, 02:58 AM

I have ticked the I prefer old styles in windows for one reason only the new menu bar takes up more space than the old one. I have had to stretch the window to accommodate all the icons in one row. If you could reduce the width of the new icon display (it seems to be the drop down arrows taking up the extra room) then I would definitely have voted I prefer the new style.

Billi · 06-09-2012, 02:59 AM

Using Windows XP and I like it, too.

paulfiera · 06-09-2012, 03:10 AM

I prefer the old style on Win XP.

Well, at least, how the categories side bar looked with a zebra theme. Now it looks all the same with a flat color. I have tried in Preferences -> Look & Feel but I can't get the gray/white stripes back.

Edit: Added screenshot.

loximuthal · 06-09-2012, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulfiera

Now it looks all the same with a flat color. I have tried in Preferences -> Look & Feel but I can't get the gray/white stripes back.

I'm on OSX and my Tag browser looked like that before I even switched to the new widget style. I, too, would like to see the alternating colors for the tag browser again.

FWIW, the buttons take up less space for me using "calibre style".

kovidgoyal · 06-09-2012, 08:48 AM

The Tag Browser changes are independent of the style.

@Valkrider: You should decrease the icon size for the toolbar (in preferences->look & feel). The arrows being on the side makes them a little easier to click, and as such is not going to change (or of course, stay with the old style).

paulfiera · 06-09-2012, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

The Tag Browser changes are independent of the style.

Any chance of getting it to display like in earlier versions with alternating row colors?

A tweak, perhaps? My eyes are not what they used to be

theducks · 06-09-2012, 09:18 AM

Kovid:
The Calibre background color slid into the custom column section of the 'All in One' metadata editor view WHEN preferences set at System settings. (it was the only section with a different BG color)

BTW I

like what you did for 'Alter Tag Browser'
That should help prevent unplanned user changes.

kovidgoyal · 06-09-2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducks

Kovid:
The Calibre background color slid into the custom column section of the 'All in One' metadata editor view WHEN preferences set at System settings. (it was the only section with a different BG color)

That was intentional. It having a different background color was a bug

Quote:

BTW I

like what you did for 'Alter Tag Browser'
That should help prevent unplanned user changes.

Yeah I got tired of seeing posts from people that changed the Tag browser and didn't realize it.

kovidgoyal · 06-09-2012, 09:43 AM

@paulfiera: Why do you prefer alternating row colors? Personally, I find the new look easier on the eyes. Alternating row colors are useful when you have long rows, they provide the eye a visual guide to keep it on the current row. The Tag browser has pretty short rows, so I find myself preferring the lack of visual distraction.

HarryT · 06-09-2012, 10:40 AM

Windows 7, and I like it. Much "cleaner" than the old UI.

paulfiera · 06-09-2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

@paulfiera: Why do you prefer alternating row colors? Personally, I find the new look easier on the eyes. Alternating row colors are useful when you have long rows, they provide the eye a visual guide to keep it on the current row. The Tag browser has pretty short rows, so I find myself preferring the lack of visual distraction.

Thanks, Kovid.

It could very well be that I'm used to the old interface. But when I click on Authors on the tag browser and there are over 1000, I find it easier on the eyes with alternate row colors.

But then again, I may be the only one with this opinion. I am running calibre on a XP box via RDP, so the visual style might not be as compelling as if using W7 or OS X.

Other than that. Great work on the new interface.

I don't know how hard it would be to implement an option to choose between these two styles. If it's difficult or if it would affect performance, it's OK. If it's easy to implement, I could really use it.

kovidgoyal · 06-09-2012, 02:33 PM

I can certainly add a tweak to restore the old look to the Tag Browser, but there will be limitations, namely the new look has hover highlighting, which will no longer be there. I suggest you use the new style for a couple of days and if you find you really, really still want the old one back, I will add the tweak for the next release.

MikeOxlittle · 06-09-2012, 10:49 PM

I like the hover highlights but the change on Lion is very subtle.

I would be happy with either style and have no preference one over the other.

View Poll Results: What is your opinion of the new style?
I prefer the new style on Windows	68	57.63%
I prefer the old style on Windows	16	13.56%
I am indifferent	23	19.49%
I prefer the new style on OS X	7	5.93%
I prefer the old style on OS X	4	3.39%
Voters: 118. You may not vote on this poll

06-09-2012, 12:01 AM	#1
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,345 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	Opinions wanted: calibre's new widget style Hi all, This week's calibre release has the ability to use a different "widget style" from the default windows/os x styles. This means that buttons/scrollbars/lists etc. are rendered differently. The new style is is generally "cleaner" (less cluttered), has eye candy like hover highlights, gradients on selections and so on. The principal downside to the style is that it makes calibre look less like a native application. To enable it, install 0.8.55, go to Preferences->Look & Feel and set the user interface style to "Calibre style" and restart calibre. I'd like opinions, particularly from Windows and OS X users on whether the new style is better/worse, if there are any bugs, and so on. Please use calibre with the new style for at least a couple of hours before posting. If opinion is generally favorable, I will consider making it the default for future releases. If it does become default and you do not like it, you can use Preferences to go back to the old style. Last edited by kovidgoyal; 06-09-2012 at 12:05 AM.

06-09-2012, 01:33 AM	#2
alansplace Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,895 Karma: 464403178 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: 33.9388° N, 117.2716° W Device: Kindles K-2, K-KB, PW 1 & 2, Voyage, Fire 2, 5 & HD 8, Surface 3, iPad	calibre's new widget style Using Win 7 and I like the new style.

06-09-2012, 03:10 AM	#5
paulfiera Addict Posts: 387 Karma: 3102 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: EU Device: Kobo Aura ONE, Kobo Libra H20	I prefer the old style on Win XP. Well, at least, how the categories side bar looked with a zebra theme. Now it looks all the same with a flat color. I have tried in Preferences -> Look & Feel but I can't get the gray/white stripes back. Edit: Added screenshot. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by paulfiera; 06-09-2012 at 03:23 AM.

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06-09-2012, 02:58 AM	#3
Valkrider Addict Posts: 316 Karma: 1250000 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: UK Device: Kobo Libra, iPadAir2, PRS600, iPhone 6, iPod, Palm TX	I have ticked the I prefer old styles in windows for one reason only the new menu bar takes up more space than the old one. I have had to stretch the window to accommodate all the icons in one row. If you could reduce the width of the new icon display (it seems to be the drop down arrows taking up the extra room) then I would definitely have voted I prefer the new style.

06-09-2012, 02:59 AM	#4
Billi Wizard Posts: 3,388 Karma: 14190103 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Berlin Device: Cybook, iRex, PB, Onyx	Using Windows XP and I like it, too.

06-09-2012, 08:48 AM	#7
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,345 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	The Tag Browser changes are independent of the style. @Valkrider: You should decrease the icon size for the toolbar (in preferences->look & feel). The arrows being on the side makes them a little easier to click, and as such is not going to change (or of course, stay with the old style).

06-09-2012, 09:18 AM	#9
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,047 Karma: 60358908 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Kovid: The Calibre background color slid into the custom column section of the 'All in One' metadata editor view WHEN preferences set at System settings. (it was the only section with a different BG color) BTW I like what you did for 'Alter Tag Browser' That should help prevent unplanned user changes.

06-09-2012, 09:43 AM	#11
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,345 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	@paulfiera: Why do you prefer alternating row colors? Personally, I find the new look easier on the eyes. Alternating row colors are useful when you have long rows, they provide the eye a visual guide to keep it on the current row. The Tag browser has pretty short rows, so I find myself preferring the lack of visual distraction.

06-09-2012, 10:40 AM	#12
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Windows 7, and I like it. Much "cleaner" than the old UI.

06-09-2012, 02:33 PM	#14
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 45,345 Karma: 27182818 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	I can certainly add a tweak to restore the old look to the Tag Browser, but there will be limitations, namely the new look has hover highlighting, which will no longer be there. I suggest you use the new style for a couple of days and if you find you really, really still want the old one back, I will add the tweak for the next release.

06-09-2012, 10:49 PM	#15
MikeOxlittle Say my name very fast ... Posts: 131 Karma: 1387009 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: The High Seas Device: Kindle	I like the hover highlights but the change on Lion is very subtle. I would be happy with either style and have no preference one over the other.

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