Mike, I must admit that I started off in the "if it isn't broken... don't fix it" camp but having developed my first Visual studio C# Metro style app I have changed my "luddite" opinion. Users seem to really love the simplicity of operation and the minimalist style. However, this creates real problems when designing apps because if you are like me, you try and pile as much information onto the screen as possible which is NOT the way to implement Metro. Whereas using conventional "old windows" style layout you could just pile into a form and add loads of controls, the Metro approach really does make you rethink the UI layout and really evaluate what is needed.... something I don't think I have ever really done before.
I guess that you either like or hate Metro styling but it isn't going to go away any time soon and most tablet apps (Android and Apple) seem to be going in the same direction. In a way is preparing the way for desktop touch screen apps as people use their tablets more and more and expect the same thing on their desktop. Yes, it is hard work initially and what I thought was initially "eye candy" isn't at all, its the "lack of eye candy" and careful use of simplistic fonts (Metro/Windows 8 uses "Segoe UI Light") that makes it look good. I must admit that giving a standard look and feel to your app/program is really hard work but my feedback from the users has been .... "when can you convert all the older programs over", so I guess I'll be kept busy for a while! The more time that passes, the more conventional windows programs will become to look very dated and OK, what does it matter as long as the program does the job whatever the screen layout. Well, it doesn't matter as far as results go ... unless the user/customer has a choice between an old style and new style app ... in which case you've probably lost the sale. One thing it does do however, especially seeing as how you have to put a lot more effort into the layout of an app, is cut down on the manual/help aspects as the app should be much more intuitive. ... and I'm enjoying it, especially making our old VFP friend look really grown up with its new suit of clothes. Dave -----Original Message----- From: ProFox [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Copeland Sent: 07 December 2012 10:59 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Free Syncfusion Metro Icon Studio I guess it doesn't really matter in the long run, but can you share a little, Dave, about some benefits that the new paradigm that Win8 brings to the interface table? I'll confess that, due to lack of time, I haven't had any chance to really investigate Win8 other than 3 minutes poking a laptop at Staples last night (the wife was ready to go...ready....to go....come on....let's go....) Does the Metro (or whatever the new authorized name might be) really provide something beneficial? (Again, not that it really matters...new sells and new is exciting and new is a-l-w-a-y-s better! Unless you're NeXT!) Thanks for any insights! Mike Copeland -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Free Syncfusion Metro Icon Studio From: Dave Crozier <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Date: 12/7/2012 4:49 AM > As you guys know I'm currently deep into developing Metro style apps and > trying to get VFP into the loop so that the interface to VFP can look slick > and up to date. I have a few updates that I'll be posting to my initial video > overview (hopefully next week) but in the meantime I found a great free > software offer from Syncfusion for their Metro Studio product that contains > over Metro 1700 Icons. > > In case you don't know, Syncfusion write some great components for visual > studio, hence how I came accross the offer. > > All you need to do is register and then the product download/key is emailed > to you ... total cost 0.00 as it is usually $499. > > http://www.syncfusion.com/downloads/metrostudio > > The product allows you to edit the icons (bitmap, size, & shape etc as well > as set transparent background colours etc. I'm quite impresed ... for no cost > and it has saved me a lot of trawling on th'interweb and doing screen dumps > of icons that I want to use. > > Enjoy > > Dave [excessive quoting removed by server] _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://mail.leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://mail.leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/profox/[email protected] ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
