Marathon Donation App - Call for testers

Edit history:

Mystery: 2010-12-21 11:32:40 am

Mystery: 2010-12-21 11:30:28 am

2010-12-21 11:29:56 am

First wip. A lot of stuff undone, not working, but I thought I'd give an overview an see if the interface was right.
If you haven't already, download http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?familyid=A7B7A05E-6DE6-4D3A-A423-37BF0912DB84&displaylang=en
Then download and unzip attached file. Database is included.
Now going to work on search.

Second wip.
Search done.
Going to go further with search and adding prizes next.

Third wip.
Search implemented in add bid dialog. This should probably help.

Attachment:

Marathon Donation App.7z

SMK

2010-12-21 12:05:07 pm

So, color me confused, what exactly are you trying to do? Prove that C++ is better than java?

2010-12-21 12:05:44 pm

My feelings on The Demon Rush

So why did you make a donation app to compete with the current one?

Edit history:

Mystery: 2010-12-21 12:09:26 pm

2010-12-21 12:08:40 pm

It's fun.
C++ vs Java is a topic I'd rather not debate.
And IMHO, it's going to turn out better. Eh, but that's subjective, so we'll see. Regardless, you can use anyone you want. Still, I'll continue developing this one and making it better. If anything, we can borrow ideas from one another.

And the fact is that if I'm going to help, it has to be a language that is not Java -_- Besides, I want to help.

Edit history:

mikwuyma: 2010-12-21 12:29:55 pm

2010-12-21 12:26:43 pm

My feelings on The Demon Rush

Uh, I never said we should debate C++ vs Java. I don't understand why you have extreme prejudices over anything you dislike, like apple or java. If you really wanted to help, then you would provide input for the current program, or help work on it, IMO. :-/

Anyway, I tried opening your program after installing those libraries, and I can't even open it because MSVCR100.dll is missing.

SMK: I haven't looked closely at the newest version of the donation app (btw, I updated the first post for you, you bum Tongue

), but so far the changes look good, except for the error message, "no dononation to update," and, "Error: Error: Invalid dollar amount"

Edit history:

Mystery: 2010-12-21 01:41:12 pm

Mystery: 2010-12-21 01:30:09 pm

Mystery: 2010-12-21 01:19:03 pm

2010-12-21 01:18:38 pm

Quote from mikwuyma:

Uh, I never said we should debate C++ vs Java. I don't understand why you have extreme prejudices over anything you dislike, like apple or java.

That's why I said I didn't want to discuss it Smiley

I don't want to get into arguments and stuff.

Quote:

If you really wanted to help, then you would provide input for the current program, or help work on it, IMO. :-/

I think you know better on how what it requires & whatnot, so you're covering that front.
And I don't want to help code anything that has to do with Java.

Quote:

Anyway, I tried opening your program after installing those libraries, and I can't even open it because MSVCR100.dll is missing.

That is pretty weird, since that file is supposed to install it.

Regarding the current app, I honestly find the GUI pretty confusing.

EDIT: I just tested. After installing the download at said link (run the installer!), the application runs fine.
Tested on Windows 7 x86.

2010-12-21 02:10:17 pm

Weegee Time

Uh... Mystery. You don't want to discuss it? You're coding an app to compete with the current app all because you don't like to work in Java yourself! What do you expect to happen!? If you wanted to code the app, you should have said something ages ago. Doing this now is disrespectful to the work SMK has already put into the project. Coding your app is not helping anyone. If anything, it will actually hinder the current project by diverting attention from the application which is indisputably more mature. You don't want to code in Java, that's fine. You don't want to offer suggestions to someone coding in Java, that's fine too. But whatever you do, quit being so pretentious. Thanks.

Edit history:

Mystery: 2010-12-21 02:24:33 pm

2010-12-21 02:24:11 pm

I don't want to discuss Java vs C++!
I have nothing against discussing the actual marathon application. If anything, I would like to suggest interface change akin to my design. I find it much more natural. But that's my opinion, though. I can't say if others agree.
I have utmost respect for SMK's app. Obviously he/she has put his/her soul into this, so I shoot it down.

I had no idea an app for donations could have helped. Had someone said so, I could have helped much earlier. But the situation is as it is now.
However, you should know that the interface that I make and that SMK is making is entirely different. In such way, it is good. There is no "ultimate" interface.
Now we have two interface to discuss and to look at. We can decide what is good/bad with both and improve one.

Finally... sorry, I have no idea what pretentious means. I can only assume it isn't good.

moooh

2010-12-21 02:26:24 pm

Exoray

You could have saved yourself some time and just created some interface mockups instead if that was what you were after Smiley

Edit history:

Mystery: 2010-12-21 02:39:24 pm

Mystery: 2010-12-21 02:34:25 pm

2010-12-21 02:34:16 pm

Ah, I'm bored most of the days now anyway.
I'll soon have some more interesting up.

2010-12-21 03:07:49 pm

Weegee Time

pretentious (n) - 2. Characterized by assumption of dignity or importance.

I'll shoot a screenshot for Mike and everyone else.

Honestly, the way you're handling it right now, it looks worse. What happens when one person makes two donations? How does the program look? I can't do it myself because you haven't implemented the Add button yet, but I can't imagine it looking good. Also, there's a tremendous amount of wasted horizontal space, and as a result you're using up lots of vertical space as well. It is going to be inconvenient to have to collapse and expand donators, and have to scroll up and down the entire list in this manner. Then there's Lots and Lots of Pop-ups to do one function (searching).

roysen

Edit history:

roysen: 2010-12-21 03:46:30 pm

roysen: 2010-12-21 03:46:05 pm

2010-12-21 03:43:30 pm

jesus christ, are you socially retarded?

you can't seriously have seen this thread and have thought "oh my, this is a good idea, i'll do mine too. and if i'm lucky people will pick my app and SMK's work will have been for naught, even though he was first and everyone was quite content with what he was delivering."

do you honestly think this is a good thing? this was stated before, but couldn't you have asked prior to having started work on this? the way things are right now, you only look like wanting to steal somebody elses spotlight.

Marathon Donation App.msi

2010-12-21 04:14:51 pm

^ Ignores. Have already explained myself. Feel free to ignore every post if you disagree.

Quote from Rakuen:

Honestly, the way you're handling it right now, it looks worse. What happens when one person makes two donations? How does the program look? I can't do it myself because you haven't implemented the Add button yet, but I can't imagine it looking good.

My thoughts are to sum it up. Then you can view history to see how many bids that has actually been done.

Quote:

Also, there's a tremendous amount of wasted horizontal space, and as a result you're using up lots of vertical space as well. It is going to be inconvenient to have to collapse and expand donators, and have to scroll up and down the entire list in this manner.

Horizontal space I cannot really imagine (unless you keep a lot of dialogs up).
Vertical space could be trimmed. I haven't bothered resizing it yet. But it could be resizable. That's the best for all, no?
And regarding scroll up/down. How would you rather have it? A combobox, or a list, like in the Java app? To me, they look similar.

Quote:

Then there's Lots and Lots of Pop-ups to do one function (searching).

At the moment, there should be two.
Add bid -> find -> enter your search details, click search -> choose your search result -> done.
But I suppose that if there's just one result, it can automatically select it. Hmmm.

Here is another wip.
I changed the categorization in the bid overview.
It looks more like the Java app now. Much cleaner.
This is a setup file. Should install everything and add a shortcut to the start-menu.

^ Ignores. Have already explained myself. Feel free to ignore every post if you disagree.

[quote="Rakuen"]Honestly, the way you're handling it right now, it looks worse.  What happens when one person makes two donations?  How does the program look?  I can't do it myself because you haven't implemented the Add button yet, but I can't imagine it looking good.[/quote]
My thoughts are to sum it up. Then you can view history to see how many bids that has actually been done.

[quote]Also, there's a tremendous amount of wasted horizontal space, and as a result you're using up lots of vertical space as well.  It is going to be inconvenient to have to collapse and expand donators, and have to scroll up and down the entire list in this manner.[/quote]
Horizontal space I cannot really imagine (unless you keep a lot of dialogs up).
Vertical space could be trimmed. I haven't bothered resizing it yet. But it could be resizable. That's the best for all, no?
And regarding scroll up/down. How would you rather have it? A combobox, or a list, like in the Java app? To me, they look similar.

[quote]Then there's Lots and Lots of Pop-ups to do one function (searching).[/quote]
At the moment, there should be two.
Add bid -> find -> enter your search details, click search -> choose your search result -> done.
But I suppose that if there's just one result, it can automatically select it. Hmmm.

Here is another wip.
I changed the categorization in the bid overview.
It looks more like the Java app now. Much cleaner.
This is a setup file. Should install everything and add a shortcut to the start-menu.

Attachment:

2010-12-21 04:24:47 pm

My feelings on The Demon Rush

Actually, I got to work. The problem was downloading the 64-bit libraries (because I'm using windows 7 64-bit). I do have to agree with Rakuen, the way you're doing it does look worse (I haven't looked at the newest version). However, you're dodging the main point, which is why you're making this program in the first place when we already had one that worked just fine.

Hint: Java and C++ are not acceptable answers. Wink

Marathon donation app.jpg

Edit history:

Mystery: 2010-12-21 04:39:31 pm

Mystery: 2010-12-21 04:32:04 pm

2010-12-21 04:29:51 pm

As for the main point:
- Because I want to help.
- Because I don't want to work with Java.
- Because IMHO the Java GUI needs work.
- Because I want something to do.
- Because it gives several approaches to the problem. I show how I do. SMK shows how he/she do it. You pick what's best. Someone integrates it into the final app. For example, I find SMK's interface confusing.
Basically, I am doing some mockups, if you will. Fully working mockups in the end, hopefully.
Btw, I have drawn some design and whatnot from SDK's app. So don't say SDK's work has been for nothing.
Screenie:

Attachment:

arkarian

2010-12-21 04:48:54 pm

gamelogs.org

if you don't want to work with java why don't you just leave it alone and let other people do it? looks like there are already several people willing to help with this project without whining about the language used.

i'm sure you can find another way to help the with the site/marathon or if not, maybe next year.

Edit history:

Rakuen: 2010-12-21 04:52:23 pm

Rakuen: 2010-12-21 04:51:46 pm

2010-12-21 04:49:13 pm

Weegee Time

Quote:

- Because I want to help.

Then help SMK by suggesting things to him.

Quote:

- Because I don't want to work with Java.

That's your problem and it's not an acceptable answer. Incidentally, making suggestions does not require you to code anything in Java. At all.

Quote:

- Because IMHO the Java GUI needs work.

Yeah, it does need work. That's why we offer suggestions to him for what to improve.

Quote:

- Because I want something to do.

There's more useful uses of your time than attempting to fill a need that's already been filled. For example, you could suggest things to SMK.

Quote:

- Because it gives several approaches to the problem. I show how I do. SMK shows how he/she do it. You pick what's best. Someone integrates it into the final app. For example, I find SMK's interface confusing.

The only problem you've brought up is GUI design which only requires you to sketch a mock-up showing your proposed ideas, and that would be far quicker. Then you can submit it as a suggestion to SMK. If you haven't figured this out yet, the solution to everything is suggest it to SMK.

On that final note. Honest to god, that is even more confusing than the last iteration. Part of being a designer is understanding that what is logical to you is not necessarily logical to everyone else. You can keep adding things to your version of the application, but it's never going to change the root problem, which is your proposed GUI. Seeing as that's why you started making the application in the first place... it's not looking good for you.

[quote]- Because I want to help.[/quote]
Then help SMK by suggesting things to him.
[quote]- Because I don't want to work with Java.[/quote]
That's your problem and it's not an acceptable answer.  Incidentally, making suggestions does not require you to code anything in Java.  At all.
[quote]- Because IMHO the Java GUI needs work.[/quote]
Yeah, it does need work.  That's why we offer suggestions to him for what to improve.
[quote]- Because I want something to do.[/quote]
There's more useful uses of your time than attempting to fill a need that's already been filled.  For example, you could suggest things to SMK.
[quote]- Because it gives several approaches to the problem. I show how I do. SMK shows how he/she do it. You pick what's best. Someone integrates it into the final app. For example, I find SMK's interface confusing.[/quote]
The only problem you've brought up is GUI design which only requires you to sketch a mock-up showing your proposed ideas, and that would be far quicker.  Then you can submit it as a suggestion to SMK.  If you haven't figured this out yet, the solution to [b]everything[/b] is suggest it to SMK.

On that final note.  Honest to god, that is even more confusing than the last iteration.  Part of being a designer is understanding that what is logical to you is not necessarily logical to everyone else.  You can keep adding things to your version of the application, but it's never going to change the root problem, which is your proposed GUI.  Seeing as that's why you started making the application in the first place... it's not looking good for you.

Edit history:

Mystery: 2010-12-21 05:15:43 pm

2010-12-21 05:14:55 pm

Quote from arkarian:

if you don't want to work with java why don't you just leave it alone and let other people do it? looks like there are already several people willing to help with this project without whining about the language used.

i'm sure you can find another way to help the with the site/marathon or if not, maybe next year.

Again, I haven't whined -_-
I simply don't want to code Java. That's why I said I didn't want to discuss it!
Yeah, I can always make something for next year. Or the next event.
I'll just develop this for the next event or something else. And as a base for suggestions for SMK.

Quote from Rakuen:

Then help SMK by suggesting things to him.
Yeah, it does need work. That's why we offer suggestions to him for what to improve.
There's more useful uses of your time than attempting to fill a need that's already been filled. For example, you could suggest things to SMK.
The only problem you've brought up is GUI design which only requires you to sketch a mock-up showing your proposed ideas, and that would be far quicker. Then you can submit it as a suggestion to SMK. If you haven't figured this out yet, the solution to everything is suggest it to SMK.

See my current wips as suggestions. Suggestions to SMK. Use it as a template for the work on the donation app.

Quote:

On that final note. Honest to god, that is even more confusing than the last iteration. Part of being a designer is understanding that what is logical to you is not necessarily logical to everyone else. You can keep adding things to your version of the application, but it's never going to change the root problem, which is your proposed GUI. Seeing as that's why you started making the application in the first place... it's not looking good for you.

And that is why feedback is needed.
I don't know how you're taking donations or what you need or how.
But it makes "sense" to me to organize them in some way. This way is similar to how SMK's app is currently
Is there some other way that would be better? If so, out with it. It would help improve SMK's app, as well.

[quote="arkarian"]if you don't want to work with java why don't you just leave it alone and let other people do it? looks like there are already several people willing to help with this project without whining about the language used.

i'm sure you can find another way to help the with the site/marathon or if not, maybe next year.[/quote]
Again, I haven't whined -_-
I simply don't want to code Java. That's why I said I didn't want to discuss it!
Yeah, I can always make something for next year. Or the next event.
I'll just develop this for the next event or something else. And as a base for suggestions for SMK.

[quote="Rakuen"]Then help SMK by suggesting things to him.
Yeah, it does need work.  That's why we offer suggestions to him for what to improve.
There's more useful uses of your time than attempting to fill a need that's already been filled.  For example, you could suggest things to SMK.
The only problem you've brought up is GUI design which only requires you to sketch a mock-up showing your proposed ideas, and that would be far quicker.  Then you can submit it as a suggestion to SMK.  If you haven't figured this out yet, the solution to [b]everything[/b] is suggest it to SMK.[/quote]
See my current wips as suggestions. Suggestions to SMK. Use it as a template for the work on the donation app.

[quote]On that final note.  Honest to god, that is even more confusing than the last iteration.  Part of being a designer is understanding that what is logical to you is not necessarily logical to everyone else.  You can keep adding things to your version of the application, but it's never going to change the root problem, which is your proposed GUI.  Seeing as that's why you started making the application in the first place... it's not looking good for you.[/quote]
And that is why feedback is needed.
I don't know how you're taking donations or what you need or how.
But it makes "sense" to me to organize them in some way. This way is similar to how SMK's app is currently
Is there some other way that would be better? If so, out with it. It would help improve SMK's app, as well.

2010-12-21 05:40:32 pm

Weegee Time

Yes. The better way to do it is the way SMK has implemented it. Seriously. All information for a donation is on a single line, and they're grouped together by donor. All bid option information on a single line, and again, it's grouped together by the master bid. Intuitive contextual selection for everything. We don't need to suggest things to you to make your app's GUI better because it's already been done. SMK's design could use some improvements, but we're suggesting them. There is absolutely no need to develop a second app.

What is so hard to understand about this? I'm trying to be nice and reasonable, but you are rapidly diminishing my patience.

Edit history:

Mystery: 2010-12-21 05:57:11 pm

Mystery: 2010-12-21 05:55:48 pm

2010-12-21 05:54:55 pm

It looks like there are two tabs: one that sorts by donor and that sorts by category. So it's probably a good idea to be able to view the list by category first and donor first.
And a category would what the bid is for. Eg name a character. The question is, should a subcategory be necessary? Such as category = name character, subcategory = name of character.
And you like a single-line information layout better than multi-line. I see. I will take that into account and see what I can come up with (mockup GUIs are good!).

I'm also trying to put up with you, so we're square on that.

2010-12-21 06:29:25 pm

Weegee Time

...I'm exasperated. I'm walking away from this for now.

2010-12-21 10:49:52 pm

My feelings on The Demon Rush

Mystery's Donation App - December 21st, 2010

Decision: Reject

Reason: Numerous inferface mistakes, and the runner refuses to practice basic courtesy.