Feature Request - Small Changes to the application layout

[stuartma]

Hi,

First off I'd like to say how much I love GSM Tracker I think it is a fantastic application and because of it I've been developing my own server implementation for a few months now. Inteli-Tracker is over at http://tracker.stuartanderson.eu.com/

I have been thinking about what could improve the software and in reality there are almost no new features that could make it any better, its already so close to perfect as it is.

But there are a two things I think might make the user experience a little nicer. The first is in the order of the screens. If the Logs tab and Quick Labels tab were switched this might make it easier for people to make more use of labels? After all the average user does not need/understand the log messages and so has almost no need for them until something goes wrong. The second change I would subject is the right 'soft key' is currently set to exit, with the hide option hidden in the options list. In most cases users will only want to hide the application and not close it so maybe this could be changed so the easiest option for users is to hide GSM Tracker not close it?

Anyway, these are just my suggestions that might improve an already fantastic application. By the way, if anyone is interested in using Inteli-Tracker give me a shout as I am always looking for people who could help me test my server software.

Yours,
Stuart Anderson

[jje]

Hi Stuart,

Thank you for your nice words and thanks for your good ideas. Great that you have developed Inteli-Tracker! Hope you get many users to it.

I admit that the current position of the Quick Label tab is not optimal from the user's point of view. There are some technical issues, which make it more difficult to change the tab order than one might expect. The label screen is sometimes hidden and that tab hiding is easiest to do when it is the last tab .

We made a partial solution to your request in v3.20. I wonder if you have noticed it. In that version we introduced a new screen with big font speed display as the first screen. http://www.aspicore.com/img/Nokia_5800_XpressMusic_014.png In the same version we added a shortcut path from the first screen to the Quick Label screen: If you press the select key (the middle joystick button) in the first screen, the application immediately shows the Quick Label screen. Then you can come back to the first screen by pressing the right soft key labelled 'Back'.

We consider your suggestions. Regarding the right 'soft key': I think privacy is an important aspect for an average user. When there is an easy way to exit the application the user can be confident about his/her privacy when (s)he does not want to get tracked. Perhaps we should make the function of the right 'soft key' user selectable?

Cheers,

Jyrki
Aspicore Ltd

[stuartma]

Hi Jyrki,

Inteli-Tracker is looking for users will to test out the latest code. The more users the I can put on the site the more I can test everything it working.

You are quite right, privacy is the first concern of users. I think you are right that if you were to implement my 'hide' soft key option you would need to make it a setting yours can choose to have or disable, the other idea might be to warn users they are only hiding GSMTracker not exiting it? Currently when you click exit you are asked to confirm that you really want to quit. Might it be possible using the same dialogue box to just 'remind' users they are only hidding the application, not closing it.

I had noticed the new 'Drive' screen since version 3.20. At first I was unsure about it, but it has grown on me now I really do think it was a grate addition. I was also aware of the select key (the middle joystick button) jumping the users directly to the labels screen, but (there is always a 'but' don't you find) I'm a Nokia N97 user and 5800 user before that so have no joystick or select key.

Perhaps putting a click-able buttons on the new 'drive' screen. GPS could connect the GPS, Net would connect to the internet and a new button 'Label' would jump to straight to the labels? I don't know how possible that is touch screen users not having a joystick seems to cause a few problems, for me at least.

Anyway these are just ideas. I have noticed a few 'bugs' since version 3.20 which are still in 3.21 if you'd like me to go into them i will, there are not major bugs just 'small inconveniouses'

But if you ever need someone to test out a new beta or alpha on a Nokia N97 I would always be happy to test out the newest code and give back as detailed bug reports as I can, just wanted to say that while I can.

Stay Sane,
Stuart McCulloch Anderson
Skype: stuartma
http: http://www.anderson.eu.com

[jje]

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for your suggestions and valuable feedback.

You can send bug reports to support@aspicore.com
Much appreciated.

- Jyrki

[jje]

For your information:
In the new version 3.22 there is a shortcut for touch phone users to move from the 'Drive' screen to the 'Label' screen.
Now in touch UI phones you can choose 'Change view' from the Options menu. This command goes directly from the 'Drive' view into the 'Label' view. You can then come back with the soft key 'Back'.
The new version was released on 11 Feb 2010. You can install it on top of an earlier version, all settings are preserved. There are no more changes to mention except the view changing with touch phones. (The small arrow icons next to the tabs did not always work in v3.21 with some firmware versions.)