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Interfaces we love

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Sentinel:
To follow on from Zaine's thread here: -

https://www.donationcoder.com/forum/index.php?topic=820.0

I think it would be a good idea to consider what we think is a good interface and a model for software interface design.

I think anything based on the standard Windows GUI API's are perfectly acceptable, but as mentioned in the thread above I also think WinAmp is both beautifully crafted and functional.  Everything is where it should be and it is simple for a first time novice user whilst being powerful for the weathered power user.

I personally think the key to interface design is having something which looks and feels simple on the surface that also meets the most demanding complexities of any given software.

To me, one of the most perfect interfaces I have ever used was 3D Studio 4 in DOS (and I still occassionally use it to this day).  If I can sort out a DOS boot to capture some screen images I'll post them here.  Unfortunately I feel they lost the plot somewhat with the complex and confusing interface with later Windows versions.

zridling:
Well I was going to say AutoHotkey, but it doesn't have an interface. But I will say that a good interface entails good design. But off the top of my head, I'd have to say the GreatNews RSS Reader. It's simple, customizable, and uncluttered.

       

rjbull:
I think it would be a good idea to consider what we think is a good interface and a model for software interface design.
-Sentinel (September 04, 2005, 02:51 PM)
--- End quote ---
How about Norton Commander?  Or is that not so much a "good" interface" as a "standard" interface?  I can't get my head round Windows Explorer: the two-pane model seems much more intuitive.  The NC interface has carried through from DOS, with various clones, to Windows, with various clones, the one I use most on Win2K being Total Commander (shareware)  http://www.ghisler.com

More here - Orthodox File Managers: Simplicity Rules

http://www.softpanorama.org/OFM/index.shtml

Dr. Nikolai Bezroukov's page devoted to the Orthodox File Managers (OFMs) that are also known as "Commanders". Members of this family of file managers use simple yet very powerful interface that is a direct derivative of Norton Commander (NC) interface

jpfx:
V - The File Viewer should be on that OFM list http://www.fileviewer.com.
If being indispensable has anything to do with loving the interface. I can't say there's ever likely to be an app that I use regularly that I consider ugly.
So if it doesn't fit whatever I conisder to be the best app in the world; and if it doesn't look okay, I'm not going to use it. Heh! how unfair is that? :) I like function over form ANY time.

zridling:
JP, V File Viewer is one of THE coolest apps I've seen in a long time. And it has incredible power. I opened an 8.5G text file in less than ONE second — wow! Thanks for pointing that out. Hey, and its interface looks as good as any other Explorer replacement.

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