Hi Guys,
NaviComputer Version 0.9 is getting closer. Only some minor tweaking here and there still needs to be done.
Lately there has been an interesting discussion at xda developers forum about where the zoom buttons on the map page should be located for best usability.
Here you can vote for your favourite layout. Please participate, take part in the project of turning NaviComputer into one of the best GPS / Maps Software in terms of usability 
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The icons on the left or right still favor a "hand". If you use the 'opposite hand', it is still difficult. Whether they show as -/+ or +'- really makes no difference.
I would think that a compromise would solve the issue. Put the icon in the center screen!
Ain't it cool!
Regards,
Tippy
The best solution would be Select left or right. I'm a lefty!
(google translation)
The best solution would be able to choose between left or right. I'm a lefty!
(google translation 2nd round)
Mejor poder elegir el lado de los botones, soy zurdo!
I think the best idea would be to create a "settings" menu, in which the user himself can decide where he likes to have the buttons.
Yes, having "user choice" is a great idea, but it may make things complicated and delay the release of version 9.
Naturally, a Settings menu where various locations can be selected really is the only way to go, and would satisfy all.
Split it, make it bigger and make it semi-TRANSPARENT. This way it's not so obtrusive on the map area and can be pressed more easily with the finger.
My ideas is to put on the right in middle height.
In this case is optimal for one hand navigation.
Remember that this software is for outdoor navigation, and you maybe can't use both hand.
In alternative i prefer the fisrt option (the original)
What about a support of landscape mode?
Will you add it to new version?
In my toshiba G910 i can't change a view to portrait mode so I'm not able to fully use Your great software;]
Whatever you do, transparency would be fantastic! I voted for split, so that the currently opaque buttons are easier to see "around". Plus, when I'm driving I don't want to worry about which button I'm hitting (if they're close together).
it should be finger (or even thumb) friendly = not too close to each other. Also on the top so that it's not to close to the other buttons.
1st thinking: Right side, because I am a right hander.
Than – because of this discussion – if possible make it selectable for everybody, than you do not need this discussion. Best option would be to make it slideable over the screen so if it is disturbing you can move it arround.
What ever you do, you never can make it right for everybody …
RE: -/+ buttons
Excellent comments, but as DINGOLINO has said, Navi can't be made "right" for everyone. I am sure the developer will do what is possible to accommodate the majority.
Wait for version 9 and be surprised.
Regards,
Tippy
Hi all,
thank you all for your participation.
I am quite surprised about the result of this poll so far because I personally do not like the splitted layout. Good to have a veto here
You had some really nice ideas. Especially the solution of making the buttons slideable is really cool. Of course I am also considering (semi-)transparency.
I need to think about these solutions and do some more researching, because I do not want to do anything at the expense of the map's overall performance/speed.
Version 0.9 is ready now and it will have the same zoom button layout like 0.8
I will defer this topic to the following 0.9X branch…
Thanks again
Well, I am not so surprised at the poll results. It seems like users want a compromise. Left side/right side isn't it, unless the placement is user selectable.
Actually, the more I look at the icons 'split', the more it kind of grows on me.
We'll have to wait until the developer decides on which way to go. As he has said….He has the veto vote!
Regards,
Tippy
How's about if you put them beside the GPX icon? + on top and – at the bottom. Basically they will be on top of each other, total height will be equal to GPX icon.
is it also possible to trigger the hardware volume buttons?
Hi, My phone has a small screen but everything looks good.
Zoom buttons are a problem to me though, because of the small screen, my finger 50% of the times, pushes the GPX or the wrong zoom button (they are too close) maybe one zoom button on each upper corner may help people with small screens and fat fingers
Regards and thanks a lot for a so good software!
Just voted for the split design so lefties and righties would be considered of. Another intriguing idea would be placing the buttons on top of the map view instead of the bottom. Selecting all these options in the user preferences would be perfect, but some effort for the developer.
Semi-transparency for the buttons would be a welcome improvement.
Anyway, even I am not using the full potential of this application yet, I love it. Thank you really!
Did some mental evaluation sending my post and optically realized transparent zoom buttons separated on the top. Satellite indicator is a button now, too. It's color then would indicate the status and show available and locked satellites. Additionally coordinates would be displayed now. If you'd like to risk an eye or two … check it out here:
http://www.rmlebrecht.de/download/NaviComputer_Suggestion.jpg
What you say, what you think?
Why not in the middle but still close together. I don't like the one right and one left idea. Zooming in and out is frequently required and if they are so much apart then we would be busy switching between them.
Ergonomics would clearly benefit from buttons in the middle of the screen, but the visual content of the map you are interested in would always be along the center axles of the display — the buttons would cover it then. Commercial products are not always what one should be inspired of, but supposedly they align the zoom buttons in the upper or lower corners for exactly that reason.
Comparing zoom button layout with map portals and nokia mobile ovi maps these controls are aligned on the right or left side of the screen. Then, of course, the user should then be able to set it according to his/her physical preferences, left or right-handed.
As Andoy mentioned, there is room in the discussion for hardware controls. Volume, Soft keys, Joystick and Touchscreen gestures might play a role.
Indeed would hardware controls as well as gestures be an improvement for this valuable and helpful software. For this poll it seems quite off-topic to me, though.
I agree with most people, perhaps an option to allow lefty or righty to select where the +/- buttons are will be the easiest fix.
BTW, just want to say thanks for the good work!
Hi,
Thank you to do a great job! It's really an excellent map-software.
I come from Taiwan, Use version 0.5 to download GoogleMap , use it well in Taiwan. But several months ago, i came to Sichuan in China and use navicomputer & GPS. I found there was a fix bias on the map. Is it a problem about "coordinate system"? How can i do for it?
Would it possible to let users adjust their position results after GPS-active?
Thank you very much.
Best regards.
Jones
ps. I use HTC Diamond.
Hi, congratulations for this great application!!! I use it with may MTB and it is so good. Anny chance to add heart rate bluetooth monitor? like the following:
http://www.zephyr-technology.com/hxm.html
Thanks, Santiago.
Great software!!!!!!
when I use navimapper to download the map, maybe the bad ISP service, allways display "Error! Retries ..".
could the navimapper.exe run at the retry mode, then I can run times to perfect the .nmap?
Another question, Could the navimapper.exe download mix (road and sat) maps? just auto mix the PNG and JPG? (http://ditu.google.cn)
Thanks very much!