Opinions wanted: calibre's new widget style

[Synamon]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

Though whats up with OS X users, only one vote? Are there no OS X calibre users on Mobileread?

I like the new tag browser, more like a menu, although I mostly hide it so other people's opinion should probably carry more weight. The darker shading on the right click drop down menus make them easier to read. I like the highlighting, in fact it makes the hover text redundant since that's what I used to use to confirm that I was pointing at the right thing. Is there a way to turn off the hover text for calibre (for OSX Lion)?

ETA: Love, love, love that the metadata edit screen fits properly for the all on one page option.

[Riva3000]

Calibre is great app !
But I (as 20y software / GUI designer) believe Calibre would really benefit from better looking, unified GUI design.
I see the new UI style as step toward that so I support and like that.

The icons though still are half programmer-art and half stolen from various default resources (?)

[Nyssa]

Windows 7 - I like the new style.

[kovidgoyal]

Originally Posted by OddCosine

I notice also that the new style has some buttons rearranged form the old style. Of course I'd get used to it in time, but it was a bit startling. I wondered why I kept opening the log after downloading a book cover when I had never done that before.

This should be fixed in the next release. I forgot to get the style to specify windows button order on windows and Mac button order on OS X.

[GeekyGal]

LOVE the new styles on Win 7 and on Max OS X [10.7]. I wish I could have voted for both in the poll. I use Calibre for most of the "heavy lifting" in Windows, use the Mac at home more to look things up than edit metadata / add books.

Thank you so much.

[ilovejedd]

I'm really liking the new style on Windows XP. I'm finding the hover highlight quite useful. As others have mentioned, would prefer the Tag browser to have white background. I'm used to Windows Explorer so a white background for folder trees just seems more natural.

I have a feeling I might prefer the old layout on Windows 7 though since that one's already kind of "candified".

[Serpentine]

I prefer the old style, mostly because it fits with the Windows classic shell. I'm sure the calibre style would look nicer with aero etc. So long as I can select the system style, I'm happy

[ficbot]

I am on OSx and I voted that I prefer the old style. The new style has everything smaller-looking and it was hard to see as clearly.

[kovidgoyal]

Originally Posted by ficbot

I am on OSx and I voted that I prefer the old style. The new style has everything smaller-looking and it was hard to see as clearly.

You can increase the font size under Preferences->Look & Feel

[Polarpenguin]

Really liking the new style. Am on Win 7.
As for the tag browser background colour, I much prefer it as it is currently. I find white too harsh.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

I actually think it's good so few are able to spot the differences. Means less kvetching about change if I do make it the default. Also goes to show that at least among this crowd UI style really isn't a big deal

So far the aye's have it.

Though whats up with OS X users, only one vote? Are there no OS X calibre users on Mobileread?

I do have one change I'd like implemented. Most buttons that have arrows on the right side and take up extra space. Some have an arrow right after the name. What I would like is for them to all have the arrow after the name and if the arrow is for more options, just click on the icon's name for the more options and the picture for the rest. It will save screen space in the tool bar and look better.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Kumabjorn

You want kvetching? Are you saying you want kvetching? We don't need no stinking kvetching!

Points if you can tell me where that is from.

It's from The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

Three down-and-out Jews meet by chance in a Mexican city and discuss how to overcome their financial distress. They then set out to discover gold in the remote Sierra Madre mountains. They ride a train into the hinterlands, surviving a Rabbi attack en route.

Once in the desert, Howard, the Hasidic of the group, quickly proves to be by far the most religious and most knowledgeable about the Torah; he is the one to discover the gold they are seeking. A mine is dug, and much gold is extracted, but greed soon begins and Fred C. Dobbs begins to lose both his trust and his mind, lusting to possess the entire treasure.

The bandits then reappear, pretending, very crudely, to be Rabbis. After a gunfight, a group of real Rabbis arrives and drives the bandits away. But when Howard is called away to assist some local villagers with a circumcision, Dobbs and third partner Curtin have a final confrontation, which Dobbs wins, leaving Curtin lying shot and bleeding. Dobbs continues on alone but is soon confronted and killed by Reformed Jews. The drifters, thinking the gold dust is just another golden calf, scatter the paydirt. They are later captured and executed by the Rabbis. Curtin and Howard hear the story and can do nothing but bow down before God.

[Kumabjorn]

Points, points and more points.

I guess it also shows our age. These whippersnappers don't stand a chance. But don't ask me to name a single rapper.

[paulfiera]

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

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.

I've been using the new tag browser layout for almost a week now and still miss alternate row colors. I still believe the contrast of the alternate rows is easier on the eyes.

[kovidgoyal]

OK, I'll add the option in the next release.