CT Interface

CellarTracker Main Site

CT Interface

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [Cellar Talk] >> Release Notes >> CT Interface

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

CT Interface - 12/15/2007 9:07:28 AM

J_Hayden

Posts: 39
Joined: 10/13/2007
Status: offline

Eric,

While mulling over Scrugy, Cork'd, Winelog.net and other similar shops competing with you, I can't help but wish you would get a more visually appealing 2.0 version of CT out asap.

Now, let me say that what sold me on CT was its incredible power. I'm talking, giddy, silly, giggle like a little girl kind of power. It's obvious that this level of product, on an "under the hood" level, exists no where. But what I'm afraid of is that you aren't getting a second look from whole segments of the wine drinking populous due to the rather perocial, wine nerd database look. People = Power for CT, and some of that power is leaking to lesser sites based soley on visual merits.

I'll use CT regardless of what it looks like (as I'm sure most active CT users would agree), but a pretty face, and its undeniable attraction, would just be icing on the cake!

Cheers,
J_Hayden

Post #: 1

RE: CT Interface - 12/15/2007 11:18:53 PM

hutch

Posts: 40
Joined: 10/4/2006
From: Alaska
Status: offline

I'm sure that probably makes sense from a business perspective... However, I personally hope for little in the way of streamlining/prettyifying, at least for the forseeable future. What seperates CT is the focus on practical use. Eric is constantly adding new tools and ideas that make CT great. I can't even count anymore how many web sites have decreased in their practical aspects for the sake of adding graphics and looking nice. This site rocks specifically because it's perfect for those with a geeky persona, whether it be wine, numbers, code, or what have you. And I would argue that the incredible data base of users and TN's proves how that is probably the best way to success in this field.

(in reply to J_Hayden)

Post #: 2

RE: CT Interface - 12/16/2007 8:55:24 AM

J_Hayden

Posts: 39
Joined: 10/13/2007
Status: offline

I completely agree with your points on practical usefulness as I said in my post, but I argue that good looks and high function are not mutually exclusive.

< Message edited by J_Hayden -- 12/16/2007 8:56:30 AM >

(in reply to hutch)

Post #: 3

RE: CT Interface - 12/19/2007 10:54:26 AM

WetRock

Posts: 46
Joined: 2/9/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: hutch

I'm sure that probably makes sense from a business perspective... However, I personally hope for little in the way of streamlining/prettyifying, at least for the forseeable future. What seperates CT is the focus on practical use. Eric is constantly adding new tools and ideas that make CT great. I can't even count anymore how many web sites have decreased in their practical aspects for the sake of adding graphics and looking nice. This site rocks specifically because it's perfect for those with a geeky persona, whether it be wine, numbers, code, or what have you. And I would argue that the incredible data base of users and TN's proves how that is probably the best way to success in this field.

I agree with this. I would add that I think the large growth has come from it's utility over trying to provide fun graphical additions that often bog down so many other sites and strip them of utility. the 'fun' in CT is the fact that so much is right there or one click away and is easy to use. Reminds me of why IMDB has stayed so great and easy for so long. They haven't messed with the interface in any significant way since going up and so much is easy to get to. Hope they don't get carried away with the integrated film ads.

_____________________________

Cris Whetstone

(in reply to hutch)

Post #: 4

RE: CT Interface - 12/19/2007 2:11:43 PM

GintsO

Posts: 87
Joined: 5/14/2006
From: Latvia, Jūrmala
Status: offline

If somebody does not like the CT interface, then would be nice to choose in options the color scheme man likes. What we need is only several different CSS.
I have not sufficient skills but I tried to make a pair:

(in reply to WetRock)

Post #: 5

RE: CT Interface - 2/16/2008 4:53:08 AM

jamscreator

Posts: 313
Joined: 9/10/2007
From: Indiana USA
Status: offline

Adding extra 'pretty pictures' and aesthetics isn't nearly as important as Eric's ability and willingness to keep adding features for us. Sometimes when you add 'pretty things' to a web site it tends to slow down the loading time for the affected pages.

_____________________________

Jeff Lawson

"Drink what you like, and like what you drink."
-Robert Mondavi

(in reply to GintsO)

Post #: 6

RE: CT Interface - 2/20/2008 3:25:50 PM

J_Hayden

Posts: 39
Joined: 10/13/2007
Status: offline

As I've said above, I don't think good looks and high function are mutually exclusive. I'm not asking for video of kittens and puppies, or some lame ass live chat.....re-read my post and pay particular attention to

"...But what I'm afraid of is that you aren't getting a second look from whole segments of the wine drinking populous due to the rather perocial, wine nerd database look. People = Power for CT, and some of that power is leaking to lesser sites based soley on visual merits."

(in reply to jamscreator)

Post #: 7

RE: CT Interface - 2/28/2008 4:03:26 PM

mneforeva

Posts: 22
Joined: 2/3/2008
From: California
Status: offline

We should be able to choose between interfaces. But functionality is first.

(in reply to J_Hayden)

Post #: 8

RE: CT Interface - 3/2/2008 8:15:24 AM

markchristenson

Posts: 92
Joined: 8/19/2004
Status: offline

A good friend who has been involved in software development for a number of years (worked at MSFT, although not with Eric) looked at CT for the first time and his initial reaction was incredibly negative. He's not a wino, but he is an advanced software user interface designer. I would second J_Hayden's comments - neither he nor I would ask for pretty pictures, flashing marquees, etc. Quite frankly, it may be possible to reduce some of the information presented on screen and make it more user-friendly. As somebody who has used CT for a number of years, I find it relatively easy to navigate around and input/extract the information I need. That, however, doesn't mean it's great, or even good from a UI perspective. I think it means that I, like many/most other fans, have learned to use it. The real test of usability needs to consider the lowest common denominator (i.e., consider the iPod - incredibly simple to use, even for a neophyte).

Again - not a bash, but just a thought that I've had many times over the years, underscored by my friend's reaction.

Mark

(in reply to mneforeva)

Post #: 9

RE: CT Interface - 3/3/2008 12:26:52 PM

Pontac

Posts: 339
Joined: 8/3/2006
Status: offline

When I look at the home page of Corkd I can't see what I am supposed to do. I think its an an awful interface

But at CT it seems pretty obvious from the start -- all the options are laid out on the top and left menu.

There are some options on CT I don't use, but overall it seems simple.

However I do like Gintso's examples of colour options -- and I'd guess they'd be pretty simple to add into the user profile.

(in reply to markchristenson)

Post #: 10

RE: CT Interface - 3/3/2008 12:35:30 PM

markchristenson

Posts: 92
Joined: 8/19/2004
Status: offline

I should point out that I am not comparing CT to any other solution. I've tried 15-20 solutions, including some home-grown ones, and this is by far the best. However, I think that things can be measured against an absolute scale, not a relative one. As such, I think there is room for improvement. Not a criticism of Eric and his efforts, but, to the contrary, a desire to make sure that nobody else can EVER touch it, but staying so far ahead in every aspect that the other "competitors" pack up and go play elsewhere!

(in reply to Pontac)

Post #: 11

RE: CT Interface - 3/3/2008 7:44:55 PM

ParkHill

Posts: 124
Joined: 6/27/2007
From: Denver, CO
Status: offline

I do understand that a newcomer wouldn't find the interface immediately intuitive. I had a little learning curve. The best designs are both intuitive and effective for the experienced user.

In this situation, I feel that the functionality drives the user experience, and the functionality is very logical to what we collectors need. Thus, once you figure out the three or five things you always need, you don't really care about the extra things you don't need. That could be tidier, but I'm happy with what I use day in and day out. I'd be more upset if Eric suddenly messed with my three things.

(in reply to markchristenson)

Post #: 12

RE: CT Interface - 3/5/2008 9:34:30 AM

J_Hayden

Posts: 39
Joined: 10/13/2007
Status: offline

Great posts mark, Pontac and Park! You're right, once I got through CT's very short learning curve, I had and continue to have no problem doing what I need to do. I do totally agree with mark when he says that this discussion and the resulting suggestions are based on the sole desire to make CT an absolutely untouchable, category defining product. While some would suggest CT is already that product, I suggest that it is just shy of the mark.

Cheers all,
J_Hayden

(in reply to ParkHill)

Post #: 13

RE: CT Interface - 3/5/2008 8:48:20 PM

ParkHill

Posts: 124
Joined: 6/27/2007
From: Denver, CO
Status: offline

If Eric wanted to clean up the interface, he would be wise to do a couple of focus groups (newbie and expert users), mediated by an outside expert. You get so far inside the code, and it is really difficult to figure out why anyone else would be confused. The newbies would drive ease of use, and the experts would show typical usage patterns.

I think my only gripe is that the tool bar on the left column changes around too much. I mean, if creating an event a common enough activity, it shouldn't be just on the tasting notes menu.

(in reply to J_Hayden)

Post #: 14