[PROJ] UI Guidelines / Libraries for all Devs and Apps

[m.schmidler]

Hi everyone,

I´ve got a question, it won´t get out of mind:

What about UI guidelines for ALL developers and applications ? What about a collection of graphics and tutorials so every app gets a proper interface?
Apple does this with OS X and iPhone, and as far as I know it works. So why don´t start something like this with WindowsMobile ?

I´m dreaming of some kind of Xda-Devs library which is a wiki as well as a resource for graphics and animation frameworks. If we put our talents and efforts together I think this is doable !

[TheChampJT]

It's a nice idea, but why? You say Apple does this, but it's why we have WinMo :D! Everything is different, don't want everything looking the same!

[m.schmidler]

It's a nice idea, but why? You say Apple does this, but it's why we have WinMo :D! Everything is different, don't want everything looking the same!

*lol* You got that wrong, I don´t want to look everything the same. But we could increase the popularity and usability of WM immense if we could provide some kind of library.

I´m not talking about apps which are skinable. I´m talking about replacing the standard WinForms, so it looks nicer and is more fingerfriendly.

And when you say the different styles make WM unique - you wanna tell me missing usability is an argument to buy an WM phone ?!?

[cornelha]

It's a nice idea, but why? You say Apple does this, but it's why we have WinMo :D! Everything is different, don't want everything looking the same!
Actually EVERYONE does this. Gnome, KDE, Apple, Microsoft all spend lots of time and money on the research of UI Guidelines. Its brings the whole community so much close and leads to a fluint interface experience. Apple and the latest versions of KDE being a case in point. If we as a community lay down some guidlines on what works best where with Touch, Stylus and keyboard navigation we will already be one step closer to more usable devices. Being a programmer by trade I spend hours making sure that my UI is as close to what ppl are use to ATM ie: The Office 2007 UI. So many ppl are upgrading to this new look and feel. So my application needs to follow suit since it gets used withing corporate environments

Thats just my 2c. Hope its well spent

[speed_pour]

*lol* You got that wrong, I don´t want to look everything the same. But we could increase the popularity and usability of WM immense if we could provide some kind of library.

I´m not talking about apps which are skinable. I´m talking about replacing the standard WinForms, so it looks nicer and is more fingerfriendly.

And when you say the different styles make WM unique - you wanna tell me missing usability is an argument to buy an WM phone ?!?

I was under the assumption that the desired direction, judging by all of the most popular apps on this site, was to have apps that were fully skinable and completely finger friendly (at least where it makes sense).

[hazeline]

Personally, i think if we follow the style like iphone of designing their apps, it would be quite boring, this forum apps would not be special anymore. However, i think there would be advantages too.;)

[cornelha]

Precisely hazeline, we should figure out what works for us and work from there. When you look at apps like Manilla 2D and TouchFlo 3D even though they are great they are lacking some basic fluincy.

Im gonna have a look over then next week and see if I can knock together something for facebook for our WinMo devices. It seems like this would a good start for me to see what I would like changed in a basic UI

[snachez]

removed. doh bleh

[bschmidler]

please remove.

[m.schmidler]

Precisely hazeline, we should figure out what works for us and work from there. When you look at apps like Manilla 2D and TouchFlo 3D even though they are great they are lacking some basic fluincy.

Im gonna have a look over then next week and see if I can knock together something for facebook for our WinMo devices. It seems like this would a good start for me to see what I would like changed in a basic UI

absolutely agree. When I first saw the facebook shots I thought "wow, we need those gfx for other apps". So, any (Xperia) users in here, what about extracting those gfx for us ?

regards,
Martin

[m.schmidler]

I noticed Microsoft released some sort of guide for developers a few days ago, you can find it here: http://www.codeplex.com/AppArch/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=19798

I also tried to copy the Facebook-Panel style, don´t criticise me, I just did this in a couple of minutes, if I put some efforts in this it would look definetely better ;)

Although this thread isn´t that crowded I still hope this becomes a big community project, it IS possible, there are some many talented people in here !

regards,
Martin

[psapg]

I also tried to copy the Facebook-Panel style, don´t criticise me, I just did this in a couple of minutes, if I put some efforts in this it would look definetely better ;)


regards,
Martin

Believe me, it's NOT that bad..
and I like the idea too...
We could implement some sort of XDA-Oficial Theme...
And this way we would have at least some common ground from were to start..
I also develop for the device, and too often, my major worry/problem is how to go for a Nice graphical interface...
It would also be goo to have some sort of listing of Graphic experienced users, willing to help developers...

[m.schmidler]

thx :D but as I said, I really could do a complete set of such graphics...problem is I´m busy with school and as you may know with the TL theme as well.

My intention is to really get all devs and designers in here and discuss how to create a basis which every developer can build upon.
I don´t know the differences between C++ and C# apps but maybe someone tells me how difficult it is to develop a framework for animations which everyone can use.
The outcome should be what script.aculo.us is for web-developers.
Graphics should be created according to a certain pattern, so we should create a list of button-types which every designer can refer to.

regards,
Martin