Tag Archive: GUI

Windows Phone 7 interface analyzed

Posted Feb.18, 2010 under Microsoft

In building the new Windows Phone 7 Series mobile operating system Microsoft started from scratch to create a user interface which was both easy to use and visually appealing. Luke Wroblewski, the chief design architect at Yahoo!, has now done an analysis of how the interface utilities tease and transition animations to provide a better and more intuitive user experience.

LiveSide point to a post on Wroblewski’s personal blog, which includes a video highlighting how the implementation of a Natural User Interface (NUI) uses content as interface controls – showing people that bits are interactive by using using “teasing” techniques. These teases encourage users to explore and touch things in an intuitive way, in Windows Phone 7 specifically by hinting at more or additional content related to the current view.

As the video points out, there is a tease on the phone’s home/lock screen and also on most of the application screens where truncation – of titles and content – can persuade people to explore more of the application. Animated transitions show users that elements are active and can be interacted with, as well as giving feedback to the user based on certain actions. Take a look at the Wroblewski’s blog and the video to get a better idea.

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Microsoft: Windows 7 was “inspired by Mac”, oh no it wasn’t

Posted Nov.12, 2009 under Apple/Mac, Microsoft, Windows 7

Microsoft’s partner group manager Simon Aldous, stated in an interview with PCR that Microsoft had tried to “create a Mac look and feel in terms of graphics” for Windows 7.

The full quote from the interview is as follows:

One of the things that people say an awful lot about the Apple Mac is that the OS is fantastic, that it’s very graphical and easy to use. What we’ve tried to do with Windows 7 – whether it’s traditional format or in a touch format – is create a Mac look and feel in terms of graphics. We’ve significantly improved the graphical user interface, but it’s built on that very stable core Vista technology, which is far more stable than the current Mac platform, for instance.

Redmond immediately issued a statement last night stating that Aldous’ comments “were inaccurate and uninformed.” In a post on the Windows Team blog, Microsoft blogger Brandon LeBlanc confirmed, “unfortunately this came from a Microsoft employee who was not involved in any aspect of designing Windows 7. I hate to say this about one of our own, but his comments were inaccurate and uninformed.”

At a demonstration of Windows 7 at PDC 2008 a Microsoft worker joked that “Microsoft copied another operating system” referring to previous versions of Windows instead of Mac OSX.

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CCleaner 2.25.1025 Released

Posted Oct.26, 2009 under Other Technology, Windows

CCleaner (Crap Cleaner) is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system – allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It also cleans traces of your online activities such as your Internet history. But the best part is that it’s fast (normally taking less than a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware!

What’s new?

  • Improved Windows 7 jump list cleaning.
  • Improved Windows 7 thumbnail cache cleaning.
  • Added support for Windows Server 2008 R2.
  • Improved 64-bit support and performance.
  • Fixed issue with Windows 7 task scheduler.
  • Fixed issue with Startup tool, displaying incorrect folder contents.
  • Added support for AVG Antivirus 9.0.
  • Added support for ExcludeKey in INI files.
  • Improved support for wildcards and RECURSE/REMOVESELF.
  • Fixed minor GUI bugs in non-English versions.
  • Fixed minor GUI usability issues.
  • Improved input validation.
  • Lots of minor bugs fixed.

Source: Official Website
Download: Full | Slim

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Firefox 3.7 GUI Redesign for Windows 7, Vista and XP

Posted Jul.20, 2009 under Announcement, Firefox, Mozilla

Mozilla plans to redesign the graphical user interface of future versions of its open source browser for the Windows operating system. In fact, the initial themes for the Windows theme revamping have already been published, are available via Mozilla Wiki, and are included at the bottom of this article. According to Mozilla, the GUI overhaul is planned for Firefox version 3.7. At this point in time, users can download Firefox 3.5, which has been made available at the end of June, 2009. No telling yet just where Firefox 3.7 fits into Mozilla’s plans moving forward. The mockups involve the GUI on the various releases of the Windows client, including Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP.

Still, it must be emphasized that the initial windows theme mockups for Firefox 3.7 are nothing more than drafts, and that, in this regard, the concepts could differ from the final revamp of the open source browser. “These are not final! they are only for brainstorming/exploration!” a message on the website reads.

Here are the main aspects of the Firefox 3.7 GUI redesign:

  1. Embracing Glass: Toolbar and Tabs using Glass. Buttons translucent and slightly glossy to meld with the toolbar. Raised 3D lookachieve tactile ‘feel.’
  2. Tools/Bookmark Bar: Connecting the Tools button to the side of the Window to emphasize the fact that it is used for customizing and changing the UI. Adding a button next to that to toggle the Bookmarks Bar which is turned off by default.
  3. Page Button: Connect the Page button to the left side of the tab area. Directly connected to the Page.

Mozilla has already debuted work on the successor of Firefox 3.5, namely codename Namoroka, also referred to as Firefox 3.6 (although the version number is likely to change). Even with Namoroka, Mozilla plans a consistent level of integration with the Windows operating systems, especially with Windows 7, and the associated eye candy, Windows Aero Glass, Windows Aero Peek.

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