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A little suggestion on the Menu UI

Wilson Lee

April 12, 2017 10:50

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Hi,

I am a Skysafari 5 pro Mac user. For my workflow, I rely on the "Observation List" , Telescope FOV display setting and the telescope control very much. Beside using Shortcuts, with the current UI design, I found it is a quite cumbersome to switch between the panels I needs, For example, I first need to bring out the "Observation List" by clicking the "Search > "Observation List" from the top menu bar (There is no button to do that). After the left panel fly-in and I picked my saved object, If I press "Show info", there is no way to go back to the list, I'll need to press "Done" and let the panel go away then bring it out again from the top menu. Secondly, when I picked my object, centred the view, tell my telescope go-to that object, I would like to change my FOV and field rotation (I do that very often), I have to access the top pull down menu(Telescope > Display), and do it again if I want to go back to observation list.  

I think it would be much much better if I can drag the panel out as a floating window (like "Scope control"), or at least let me set the panel to "Stay" or even "Custom Panel" and let me put my favourite tools in one place for easier access. What do you think ?

Thanks.

Wilson

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7 comments

• 0
  
  Wilson Lee April 12, 2017 11:26

  oh...that are some more refinement I would like to suggest. 

  On Mac.

  Can I Enable "Highlight Object" for more than one List ? Current limited to Highlight object for only one of the list. 

  Location : Choose Location from list, the current default is now "Afghanistan", I think it is more make sense if the default is "User Defined", that's the locations that user will access frequently. 

  On iOS.

  Accessing the observation list on iOS version is even more cumbersome than on the Mac, I have to press "Search", scroll all the way down to found my list, once I selected a list, I am not able to go back to the upper level, I'll have to press done, and do it again. Moreover, there is one more level to go if I want to highlight objects of that list. I think observation list deserve a dedicated button at the tools bar. 

  Changing telescope FOV and rotation on iOS also very not convenience, I have to press setting> scroll all the way down > display > Field rotation angle > Set the angle. After the angle set I have to let it go. I'll need to repeat the long process in case I need to adjust the angle slightly again. It cost many unnecessary control when I am try to use the telescope FOV to plan my shooting frame. 

   

   

• 0
  
  Bill Tschumy April 12, 2017 15:12

  Lee, 

  Thanks for the suggestions.  We have Afghanistan selected by default because That is what happen in the Basic version where there is not a "User Defined" locations feature.  Just trying to keep it consistent across versions.  I find it hard to believe that you change locations frequently enough that the extra tap matters much.

  On the observing lists. Not sure what you mean that you can't go back to the upper level.  There is a " < Search" in the upper left that takes you back.  For easy access of a list you are working with, I suggest you highlight it.  Then the "List" button at the bottom gives you quick access to the list.

  I also don't understand you comment about the field rotation.  You say "After the angle set I have to let it go. I'll need to repeat the long process in case I need to adjust the angle slightly again."  The box updates as yo drag the slider.  What do you mean by "you have to let it go"?  How would you prefer it work?

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  Bill Tschumy April 12, 2017 15:14

  I agree that there are workflows where it would be better if the new left panel didn't completely replace the old.  It might be better if they stack so when you dismiss one, the one underneath reappears.  I will consider something like this.

  Sorry, but I detest floating panels so I doubt this will be happening.

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  Wilson Lee April 12, 2017 16:26

  Hi Bill,

  Thanks for reply. 

  For the location, yes, I don't have fixed shooting site and sometimes travel, I like using Skysafari to plan my shoot ahead for multiple locations or find out where and when I can have idea better view of my target. So I switch location and date/time often. 

  For the observing list, If you pick a list and select an object, press the show info button, there is no "back" button on the info page can bring me back to the list, I will need to click the top menu bar then click observing list again. It is frustrating to do that over and over. At last, I found the list button you talked about, but clicking there is no difference from click the top menu. I didn't meant to try to request customising the software for me, but I think a modern pro software should be more intuitive, user friendly and capable of doing a bit personalisation, saving some clicks on everything is an impact for the whole user experience I think.  

  For the Field rotation angle, it is ok on Mac version, I can still managed to keep the slider on the left panel while viewing nebula on the right, I use this function to plan my composition and the equipment combination with the FOV I set. But on the iOS, it is way to trouble to change the field rotation and I have to go thru this process again and again if I want to change the field rotation again because the slider won't stay nor easy accessible. Perhaps you might say it is not suppose to be changed frequently, but there must be some user will use it that way. May be a shortcut for the whole telescope setup section ? If putting too much shortcut at the bottom bar is not a good idea, alternatively you may make a place/icon and let user put everything they need in there ? or anything else?

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  Bill Tschumy April 12, 2017 16:46

  I agree that going from Observing List to Info and back to the List is somewhat cumbersome on Mac.  That is why I mentioned having stacking panels (which is effectively how iOS and Android work).

  I still don't understand how you what the field rotation slider to work.  You say you want it to "stay or be easily accessible".  Where should it stay?  It can't be on the main screen.  Screen real estate is very precious on the phones especially.  Having a button that brings up the scope settings isn't the best.  There are two scope settings screens, one for scope setup and one for scope display setup.  You want easy access to the latter.  I will think some about it.

• 0
  
  Wilson Lee April 14, 2017 06:11

  Thanks for reply.

  For the slider, I agree the screen real estate is precious. May be something can be done on the setting page (iOS), a custom order of setting page would be the ideal choice for most user. Otherwise, if you ask me, may be "Telescope" section move before the "Display option" section, because I think I will need to access "Telescope" setting more frequently than "Display Option", not sure if you agree. And the "Display Option" is long, extra scroll to the telescope setting will be needed. 

  I am looking forward to see the future change. I'd be appreciated if the idea would be accepted. 

   

   

• 0
  
  Bill Tschumy April 14, 2017 14:25

  I think it is highly debatable whether the Telescope Options are used more than the Display Options.  There are lots of folks that use SkySafari but are not controlling a scope and they would disagree.  I would rather figure out some quick way of showing the scope display options.