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[Project Info]

Project Info

Author: Boonjin
Websites:

• Boonjin.com
  
• Smoothboard.net
  
• Smoothboard Wiki
  

[benpaddlejones]

Boonjin
Posted your IR-Pen this morning, should be there in 5-7 days.

I'm going to spend the next few hours playing. I will look specifically at the GUI and how it can be made more user frindly.

I will try to be as visual as posible.

Benpaddlejones

[benpaddlejones]

Boonjin
I love this version. Finding myself getting more used to it. Almost no changes to the advanced settings, except integrating the Presenter settings.

I am still really big on a single settings file that controls all. When moving arround alot it gets really confusing.

This image show my notes:


On the next version can you add the "?" links next to each element, just to see what it looks like and how it will affect the performance of the program.

How do you want me to start writing the help files, just as a text document?

Benpaddlejones

[boonjin]

Boonjin
I love this version. Finding myself getting more used to it. Almost no changes to the advanced settings, except integrating the Presenter settings.

I am still really big on a single settings file that controls all. When moving arround alot it gets really confusing.

On the next version can you add the "?" links next to each element, just to see what it looks like and how it will affect the performance of the program.

How do you want me to start writing the help files, just as a text document?

Benpaddlejones

Sorry for the late reply. I was away for a short trip.

Thanks for the in depth feedback and the IR pen! I will look through your suggestions

With the given explanation, now I understand what you meant by the different settings files. hehe

Regarding the help file, do you think starting with a Wiki style help will be easy to edit? (hosted at my website)
Another option is using MS Word or any HTML editor. We will need to include some screenshots.

Once it is almost done, we can convert it to a compiled HTML file to be included in the application and insert the "?" links.

Thanks!

Regards,
Boon Jin

[benpaddlejones]

Boonjin

Regarding the help file, do you think starting with a Wiki style help will be easy to edit? (hosted at my website)
Another option is using MS Word or any HTML editor. We will need to include some screenshots.

Once it is almost done, we can convert it to a compiled HTML file to be included in the application and insert the "?" links.

I think Word documents to get the text & idea's correct, when complete convert it to HTML with pictures and links. I suggets we have a few documents for each element of the program. We can email between ourselves. Then every few edits publish it for feedback.


Once you have published the next version, I will start, using the basics from your website.

Benpaddlejones

[boonjin]

I think Word documents to get the text & idea's correct, when complete convert it to HTML with pictures and links. I suggets we have a few documents for each element of the program. We can email between ourselves. Then every few edits publish it for feedback.

Once you have published the next version, I will start, using the basics from your website.

Ben,
Great!
I am very excited with the coming full release.
Thanks again for your extensive testing!

Btw, are there any other teachers in your school using the interactive whiteboard?

Regards,
Boon Jin

[benpaddlejones]

Btw, are there any other teachers in your school using the interactive whiteboard?

Yes
I have a number of teachers using it. I have also worked with about 30+ teachers in Western Sydney to set it up. Plus I have assisted heaps of teachers arround Australia online using MSN & email to set it up.

New South Wales Department of Education and Training is in the process of rolling out 1 Interactive Whietboard (Smartboard etc) per school. I am pushing this technology as away for teachers to be able to have their own IWB in their class that supports their skills and teaching for the Smartboard version. (Given your latest release has some cool tools that smartboard doesn't maybe we will replace them!)

Benpaddlejones

p.s. Do we want to make a different post about the Manual? just to seperate the two issues otherwise this topic may become difficult to manage.

[boonjin]

I have a number of teachers using it. I have also worked with about 30+ teachers in Western Sydney to set it up. Plus I have assisted heaps of teachers arround Australia online using MSN & email to set it up.

New South Wales Department of Education and Training is in the process of rolling out 1 Interactive Whietboard (Smartboard etc) per school. I am pushing this technology as away for teachers to be able to have their own IWB in their class that supports their skills and teaching for the Smartboard version. (Given your latest release has some cool tools that smartboard doesn't maybe we will replace them!)

Wow! That's great! You must really busy there.
Hows the current feedback from the other teachers who you have worked with?

p.s. Do we want to make a different post about the Manual? just to seperate the two issues otherwise this topic may become difficult to manage.

Ok, we will make a new topic regarding the documentations. In the meantime, this topic will be for the bugs and suggestions regarding the application.

Please correct me, if I have misunderstood any of your suggestions.

Questions:
Currently, the Whiteboard and Presenter share several settings regardless of which modes are used. This is the IR Sensitivity Settings for the wiimote/wiimotes and Multiple Wiimotes Configurations (Single/Two Wiimotes and  Primary/Secondary Switching).
So do you think we should make a separate Settings window for this?

Your suggestion of integrating all the tabs in to the current Presenter Settings is brilliant!

If using this, do we still need to have two button to separate the Whiteboard Settings / Presenter Settings? Or we just have a single button that will slide out the settings tabs but will only display the settings that are relevant to the current mode. (Presenter Mode will show presenter only settings, Whiteboard Mode will show Whiteboard only settings, and Presenter and Whiteboard Mode will show all the settings).

For your single settings file. How would you like the switching to be done? Will it be ok if the switching is done similar to the ones I made for Outside Screen Toggles and Presenter Settings?
I think naming this as the "Global Settings" will sound great. Any other suggestions?
How about the settings switching for Outside Screen Toggles and Presenter Settings? Do we leave it there as it is or remove it?

I will also try to put the visual calibration guide on the main window.
Currently, does the main window too cluttered? If I were to increase the size, will it still be acceptable?

You were asking about locking the main window. This should be able to be done but after integrating all the settings together, do you still want this locking feature.
Do you want the window to appear on top of other windows too?

Did you test out the "Ignore IR source" feature (activated only in Whiteboard and Presenter mode). I have a hard time thinking of a easily understandable and fast way of ignoring the point. Basically, the user has to disable cursor control, place the IR source  at the screen and activate it, and click Ignore. Finally, the cursor control will be automatically enabled and all IR dots found in the vicinity of the specified location will be ignored.



Presenter to Whiteboard Bug:
Previously you have mentioned about the bug that occured to you twice. Does the bug only appear after you have restarted the application in the Presenter Mode and then change to Whiteboard Mode?

During your testing, did you find any other abnormalities in the application's behaviour?

If anyone else have found any bugs or unexpected behaviour from the application, please post it here or message me.

Thanks!

Regards,
Boon Jin

[benpaddlejones]

Boonjin

Wow! That's great! You must really busy there.
Hows the current feedback from the other teachers who you have worked with?

Always busy, most assume I'm addicted to some stimulant, the reality is I'm just a grown up ADHD kid!

The feedback is awesome, mostly I'm filtering and passing to you. I realise that much of my feedback is presneted from first person when much of it is a combination of first and third person.

At the moment I'm loading v0.2 as I find it is a little more user friendly. However when you make 1.0 I'm so excited it's not funny from a teacher perspective this so so powerful.

I'm currently doing some tutoring with some lower ability maths students at school. I'm am only using the Wiimote Whiteboard with online maths manipulatives and games. I hope to record some video soon on their progress but in three sessions I have shifted four students who hated Math to four students who arrive early to tutoring session and love their math. It is simply amazing.

Ok, we will make a new topic regarding the documentations. In the meantime, this topic will be for the bugs and suggestions regarding the application.

As soon as you do the next release will open a new topic focused on the manual and start writing.

Please correct me, if I have misunderstood any of your suggestions.

Here goes:

Currently, the Whiteboard and Presenter share several settings regardless of which modes are used. This is the IR Sensitivity Settings for the wiimote/wiimotes and Multiple Wiimotes Configurations (Single/Two Wiimotes and  Primary/Secondary Switching).
So do you think we should make a separate Settings window for this?

Yes! They may be similar (or even the same with non applicable settings ghosted) but this simplifies the settings for tech-novices.

Your suggestion of integrating all the tabs in to the current Presenter Settings is brilliant!

If using this, do we still need to have two button to separate the Whiteboard Settings / Presenter Settings? Or we just have a single button that will slide out the settings tabs but will only display the settings that are relevant to the current mode. (Presenter Mode will show presenter only settings, Whiteboard Mode will show Whiteboard only settings, and Presenter and Whiteboard Mode will show all the settings).

I think (obvisously bound by programming limitations) that 1 button called "Settings" is best and the resulting window is based on the selected mode. I.e if "Presenter" mode is selected then when the "Settings button is pressed the "Presenter" settings is displayed or if "Whiteboard & Presenter" mode is selected then when the "Settings" button is selected the "Whiteboard & Presenter" settings is displayed.

For your single settings file. How would you like the switching to be done? Will it be ok if the switching is done similar to the ones I made for Outside Screen Toggles and Presenter Settings?
I think naming this as the "Global Settings" will sound great. Any other suggestions?
How about the settings switching for Outside Screen Toggles and Presenter Settings? Do we leave it there as it is or remove it?

1 file
1 place to save the file
1 place to create a new file
1 place do do everything relating to settings files
1 location, no confusion

I love the selection in the main window of v0.3.5 all that is missing is a button to create a new file. I also think it is in the right place. Thus remove all other buttons relating to saving files.

I will also try to put the visual calibration guide on the main window.
Currently, does the main window too cluttered? If I were to increase the size, will it still be acceptable?

Given the idea above of 1 "settings" button if this was placed below the three toggle buttons of "Whiteboard", "Presenter" & "Whiteboard & presenter" then no this will not be two cluttered. infact you will be removing button from v0.3.5.

You were asking about locking the main window. This should be able to be done but after integrating all the settings together, do you still want this locking feature.
Do you want the window to appear on top of other windows too?

No need for settings window to be locked infront. The idea of prevent the "Main Window" from being minimised before the "settings window" is closed, is to prevent confusion. Thus the user is aware of what windows are opened.

Did you test out the "Ignore IR source" feature (activated only in Whiteboard and Presenter mode). I have a hard time thinking of a easily understandable and fast way of ignoring the point. Basically, the user has to disable cursor control, place the IR source  at the screen and activate it, and click Ignore. Finally, the cursor control will be automatically enabled and all IR dots found in the vicinity of the specified location will be ignored.

I only have 1 wiimote at the moment, but yes I too found this very confusing even to read. Could this be done like a wizard?
Step 1 - User click button "Ignor IR Source"
Step 2 - App disables cursor control & opens window that:
     a) displays visible IR-Soure count/ or IR visualisation
     b) Instructs user to place "1" IR source in view
Step 3 - User clicks "Done"
Step 4 - App displays "IR Camera View" with location of identified IR-Source
     If 1< IR Source identified: Error "More than 1 IR source located", user clicks "return to begining" or "cancel"
Step 5 - "Is this the IR-Source you want to ignor?"
Step 6 - User clicks:
     yes) Settings returned  to beginning and user continues
     no) return to first step of wizard
     cancel) returns to beginning no change in settings

Presenter to Whiteboard Bug:
Previously you have mentioned about the bug that occured to you twice. Does the bug only appear after you have restarted the application in the Presenter Mode and then change to Whiteboard Mode?

No only after restarting

During your testing, did you find any other abnormalities in the application's behaviour?

I don't want to be seen blowing smoke up your arse but you CAN program. Given the massive modifcations you have made to JCL's demo application I would normally expect the program to be falling over like a drunk on newyears eve!
I trully hope that the work you continue to put in to this application is seen buy a programming bigwig and leads to a serious future in programming for you!
I cannot fully express the appeciation that teachers in Western Sydney - Australia have for your efforts, but trust me it is huge!!!

Benpaddlejones

[boonjin]

Attached are several previews of the modified user interface.

Settings
I ended up creating a double layer tab layout.
I am not sure what others will feel about this but I needed a way to separate the core settings in a distinguishable manner.
Therefore, I have splitted the first layer of tabs into Whiteboard/ Presenter / Wiimote.
Whiteboard or Presenter tab will be shown depending on the mode to avoid confusion.

Main Window
I have now added the Wiimote view in the main window. If its in whiteboard mode or whiteboard+presenter mode, it will show the IR dots seen by the wiimote with the calibrated screen area in the background. Looks cool!
If you are running this in the presenter mode only, you will see the IR dots only in a white background.

The main window will only contain the quick calibration button and the cursor control toolbar button.
The "Show Settings" button will slide in and out the settings portion.

I have just started working on the single file settings saving and loading. Like Ben has suggested, this settings file will set all the application's configurations including partial screen area, outside screen area settings used, multiple/single wiimote, presenter settings used etc.

I will need feedback with this design before I continue working on with this.
As it is very different from the previous design, previous users might need to relearn the UI.

Regards,
Boon Jin

[benpaddlejones]

Boonjin
Love it, flows well and easily sorts content. I think once used may only be a few minor movements if any.

My only suggestions:
1. 'Hide Settings' Button
2. I think 'Mode' toggle should be below the battery level. Not a big thing just how my brain flows the critical path for users.

Otherwise another massive step forward!

Benpaddlejones :-)

[boonjin]

Boonjin
Love it, flows well and easily sorts content. I think once used may only be a few minor movements if any.

My only suggestions:
1. 'Hide Settings' Button
2. I think 'Mode' toggle should be below the battery level. Not a big thing just how my brain flows the critical path for users.

Otherwise another massive step forward!

Benpaddlejones :-)

Thanks!
Can we make the "show settings" button turn to "hide settings" when the settings is already shown?

Where should we put the Load/Save settings and the settings button itself? below the Mode? or right at the bottom?

I am now working on a more readable configurations file if experienced users would like to edit directly.

I have also corrected several bugs.

Users can also double click the calibration window if they want to cancel/exit the calibration. Previously, the user can only press the Escape button on the keyboard to exit calibration.

Any other vital/minor features that are needed?

Regards,
Boon Jin

[danielotto87]

Great! The layout of the windows is more more simple now, and I agree with the toggle between "Show Settings"/"Hide Settings"
For the Load/Save Settings buttons I think is better at the bottom of the window.
Anyway, very very good program! I like it so much!
You are the whiteboard genius of the forum!!

[benpaddlejones]

Can we make the "show settings" button turn to "hide settings" when the settings is already shown?

The perfect solution!

Where should we put the Load/Save settings and the settings button itself? below the Mode? or right at the bottom?

I like:
Pulldown menu
-------------
Battery Level
-------------
Mode
  (Toggles)
-------------
Show Settings
-------------
Load
  (Create/Save buttons)
-------------
Whiteboard
   (Calibrate/Toolbar buttons)
-------------
Screen
    (Visual)
    (Tracking Utilisation)
    (IR Dots)

When they are grouped with a box they make sense visually.

I am now working on a more readable configurations file if experienced users would like to edit directly.

I think will be very userful. Given when this goes Beta the user base will increase masively exposing additional minor bugs and conflicts, a detailed config file will also help debuging.

I have also corrected several bugs.

Is it worth documenting what has been fixed with each release? Just gives a detailed picture of the program.

Users can also double click the calibration window if they want to cancel/exit the calibration. Previously, the user can only press the Escape button on the keyboard to exit calibration.

I assume the double click must come from another HID device? What if the user accidently double clciks their IR-pen?

Any other vital/minor features that are needed?

I waiting for Bluesoleil to tell us they have resolved the connectivity issues and allowed pairing with the Wiimote. Then we have everything and more!

You are the whiteboard genius of the forum!!

Hear Hear

I'm busting for the next version not only to take it for a test drive but also to start on the manual.

Benpaddlejones

[boonjin]

Great! The layout of the windows is more more simple now, and I agree with the toggle between "Show Settings"/"Hide Settings"
For the Load/Save Settings buttons I think is better at the bottom of the window.
Anyway, very very good program! I like it so much!
You are the whiteboard genius of the forum!!

Hi!
Thanks for your feedback.

I like:
Pulldown menu
-------------
Battery Level
-------------
Mode
  (Toggles)
-------------
Show Settings
-------------
Load
  (Create/Save buttons)
-------------
Whiteboard
   (Calibrate/Toolbar buttons)
-------------
Screen
    (Visual)
    (Tracking Utilisation)
    (IR Dots)
When they are grouped with a box they make sense visually.

I will try this. But will it be weird for the the settings file list to be on the top separated?

Is it worth documenting what has been fixed with each release? Just gives a detailed picture of the program.

Yea, I have a mini document which tells myself what is updated. However, since it have not reach version 1 yet, its not critical. Once its version 1, then all updates will be neatly documented.

I assume the double click must come from another HID device? What if the user accidently double clciks their IR-pen?

Once in calibration mode, the cursor control is disabled, only through other devices, the user can double click (mouse).
This is actually for my own convenience as previously I have to press the keyboard escape button to cancel calibration.

I'm busting for the next version not only to take it for a test drive but also to start on the manual.

Benpaddlejones

It is coming soon but not promises yet, try to sleep well.

Regards,
Boon Jin

[benpaddlejones]

Boonjin

I will try this. But will it be weird for the the settings file list to be on the top separated?

I just mean move the box with the Mode Toggles and put them between the "Battery Level" box and the "Show Settings" button. I think I over complexified the issue!

Once in calibration mode, the cursor control is disabled, only through other devices, the user can double click (mouse).
This is actually for my own convenience as previously I have to press the keyboard escape button to cancel calibration.

I did wonder were this came from, I had the same problem often when playing I would accidently knock the 'A' button or click the 'Calibrate' button and found it frustrating to get out of.

It is coming soon but not promises yet, try to sleep well.

Just came back from two massive days on the Snow, its all I want to do!

Benpaddlejones