I support upgrading the web interface as long as the "status badges" are changed so that we can turn them off. We don't use the http side much as we tend to have crowded maps and the badges really make the maps annoying to the point where people say that Intermapper is not worth it.
Using IM Remote of course changes everybody's opinion but we can't give everybody IM Remote. Kevin -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Michael Graziano Sent: 02 February, 2010 1:23 PM To: InterMapper Discussion Subject: Re: [IM-Talk] IMR on an I-PAD -- InterMapper/Touch --- thinking out loud Shades of previous discussions -- http://forums.dartware.com/viewtopic.php?t=1015 & http://forums.dartware.com/viewtopic.php?t=1016 have lots of cool ideas along this line. I definitely like the idea of a native iPhone/ iPod Touch/iPad client (Especially with push notifications - no more insane SMS fees!) In terms of turnaround time it may be quicker to rework the web interface to expose some of the HTTP API's functionality: Web already does most of what I need if I'm standing in the datacenter (a near- real-time status display), and with the new HTTP API it could probably be enhanced to cover "almost everything" -- the ability to ACK/UnACK is the only glaring omission I can think of & that's available via the API. The current web interface is a little long in the tooth, but it's a fundamentally sound concept. A motivated Javascript/CSS wizard may be able to take that plus the HTTP API and make it do all sorts of cool (and iPad/iPhone friendly) stuff without needing much heavy-lifting from a programming standpoint (If my HTML skills weren't firmly wedged in HTML 3.x and tables I might consider tackling it myself :) -MG On Jan 29, 2010, at 10:22 PM, Pat Storr wrote: > David's idea of using an iPad sounds great. I use my iPhone and IM > web > interface all the time. If you can develop an iPhone app that lets > me use > IMRemote that would be sweeeeeet! > > > On 1/29/10 4:07 PM, "David W. Cooley" <[email protected]> wrote: > >> The recent announcement by Apple has gotten me thinking.... >> >> I am wondering about the viability of running IMR on an I-Pad as >> InterMapper/Touch (assuming support). >> >> There is some interest here in being able to use IMR as a >> monitoring tool in >> remote machine rooms to provide negative (or positive) feedback to >> staff >> doing maintenance (reconfigurations) of various sorts. The idea is >> to have >> a resident display that would alert staff in near-time of the >> (negative/unforeseen???) consequences of their actions. >> >> The requirements seem to be: >> >> 1) dedicated device -- to keep it from being used for other purposes >> ensuring IMR is topmost/foremost/active >> 2) continuously on display -- giving status at a glance >> 3) portable device -- facilitating use in alternate locations in an >> area to >> ensure easy visibility when working behind a rack or on the other >> side of >> the room. >> 4) Keyboard not needed and probably bothersome. >> 5) Touch screen probably (open to discussion/question) better for >> some/many/most??? types of navigation. >> 6) Perhaps -- a more user friendly, intuitive, drill-down interface. >> >> >> Alternatives: >> >> 1) Personal laptop -- These same folks often have IMR on laptops >> but don't >> carry them around for various reasons including having other >> applications >> active, portability, form factor, power provisioning. >> >> 2) Dedicated laptop -- form factor limits use, generally limited to >> table >> top situations -- not well suited to wall mounting, perhaps >> navigation too >> cumbersome (open question). >> >> 3) Dedicated workstation -- might permit multiple screens but >> consumes more >> space and not really portable within a room. >> >> There are a variety of cross over points here and I am trying to >> understand >> what they are and where they might occur. I am trying to avoid the >> allure >> of the "glitzy" and focus on utility. >> >> Some considerations: >> >> 1) The touch screen navigation would likely focus navigation toward >> drill-down and make it more intuitive and ad-hoc. There may be some >> navigational anomalies between a touch screen approach and the >> traditional >> mouse approach. Would it be possible to deterministically map >> (unambiguously >> translate) between the two forms of navigation and in a way that >> would >> minimize frustration when moving between the two schemes and make >> automatic >> translation between the two environments possible? >> >> 2) Initially map editing would probably not be a feature on the >> "touch" >> version. >> >> 3) One consideration is that a cursor has a fairly fine selection >> granularity (although often not fine enough in a crowded map to >> grab a >> desired link without several tries) fingers require large areas >> which tend >> to be implemented as buttons. This would make the "hover interface >> line, >> right click, select status" sequence problematic because fingers do >> not have >> degree of granularity. One approach would be to select the >> interface label >> rather than interface line, but this runs afoul of the different >> semantics >> between hover interface line, select, status and the hover >> interface label, >> select status sequence (which by the way I find very confusing). >> >> 4) Will drill-down chains become too long (too cumbersome) and if >> so how >> might one make them easier(shorter???). >> >> 5) This probably means a different kind of InterMapper but most >> likely it >> must be closely related to the classic version as maintaining two >> platforms >> is out of the question. If one is stuck with editing only the >> classic >> version will/can that yield an acceptable "touch" version/ >> experience as a >> derivative? Much of this revolves around the notion of how would >> "classic" >> and "touch" relate or even impact the design of the other? >> >> I don't foresee giving up my laptop IMR/classic for traditional >> use, but I >> am intrigued about the possibility of touch based drill-down >> navigation >> device for use as a "field monitor". >> >> Thoughts? >> >> For your brain storming pleasure.... >> >> -Dave Cooley >> Colby College >> >> > > > ____________________________________________________________________ > List archives: > http://www.mail-archive.com/intermapper-talk%40list.dartware.com/ > To unsubscribe: send email to: [email protected] > ____________________________________________________________________ List archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/intermapper-talk%40list.dartware.com/ To unsubscribe: send email to: [email protected] ____________________________________________________________________ List archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/intermapper-talk%40list.dartware.com/ To unsubscribe: send email to: [email protected]
