Looking for model GUIs

[dee-u]

Aside from Outlook is there an app out there that has a functional GUI that I could derive ideas from?

[DeanMc]

What type of software are you creating?

[dee-u]

Its for Property Management and Asset Register though I am not specific with the functionality, Outlook has been consistently used a model even if the product is not for email and I am looking for such models where I could derive ideas from.

Thanks for any inputs!

[Kasracer]

Microsoft's accounting software is pretty cool.

[Hack]

MDI or SDI app?

[dilettante]

Now what you requested, but Everything You Know About UI Design Is Wrong has some info and links.

Some people like WinZip's user interface. I think Core FTP has one of the worst I can think of.

[DeanMc]

See heres the thing, core looks ugly but is functionally similar to every other ftp program, even in its placement of controls.

[dilettante]

But the overall look is cluttered and ugly, and the millions of buttons don't give much of a clue about what they do. Many even seem to hint they'd do the same things.

[dee-u]

Microsoft's accounting software is pretty cool.

Are you referring to Microsoft Money?

[dee-u]

MDI or SDI app?

MDI Sir.

[dee-u]

Now what you requested, but Everything You Know About UI Design Is Wrong has some info and links.

Some people like WinZip's user interface. I think Core FTP has one of the worst I can think of.

Thanks for the link, much appreciated!

[DeanMc]

To be honest, I can see a major change soon in how GUI's are developed, im currently working in close relations with a graphic artist who is trying XAMAL on for size. If he likes it he is going to tout himself as a .NET Graphic Designer.

I think this is the change that will see WPF usage increase exponentially. It has been that way for years with web development. And personally I welcome it. Many of the setbacks I have on projects are GUI related. To remove them would be great. A lot of people complain that its a waste of money to hire a GUI artist but it will be no more expensive than buying premium quality icons.

[Kasracer]

Are you referring to Microsoft Money?

No they have a new application that may even be built in .Net. It can process credit card transactions and everything and it looks slick (in my opinion anyway). There is even a free express edition.

Check it out.

[dee-u]

One thing that I have in mind is it should be classical in that I need not upgrade it oftenly, I could follow the designs of MS Office applications but perhaps sooner or later it may again be replaced and I would need to replace also my GUI to suit the new looks of MS Office look, that would be a never ending story. I will try to dig deeper into WPF but I may not have much time to study it as I am developing the product. =(

I actually have the luxury of using ComponentOne and Janus products but I have to moderate it and use only those that I need to use. The GUIs and controls of codejock seem to be pleasant also, I will take a closer look.

Thanks a bunch guys!

@kasracer
I am currently downloading the Express edition to have a glimpse of its GUI.

[Jenner]

Heh... GUI design is a funny thing. Been using Office 2007 for over a year now, and I hate, and I mean HATE the ribbon concept. It's like "Let's take all our nice orderly menus, and all the toolbars and throw them all into one big pseudo-quagmire mess". It's an awful GUI concept in my opinion.

[techgnome]

Oddly.... I like it... I've always hated having to navigate a myriad of menu options to find something. Now everything is within a couple of clicks.

Some thing I heard someone point out in this manner.... menus (in the early days) were built by developers with little to no idea of how users would use them. Over the years and millions of ressearch dollars later, MS has come to the conclusion that the normal, typical Office user has trouble navigating menus... and so with the help of designers, psycologists and end users, developed the ribbon system. It's different, and I think that's what most people dislike about it... not that it's hard to use, but that it's so different that people naturally dislike it. and It's been my own experience the most of the people who complain about it..... are develoeprs.

-tg

[DeanMc]

I agree with you and further your point by saying when people say the cannot use it this is because they are not looking. The buttons are the same as the toolbar of old yet people cannot pick out the buttons even though the graphic icons are the same.

[dee-u]

Do you guys always use the same set of controls as used by MS Office like the Ribbon? What exactly do you do if it has been outdated, that is MS released another version which makes your GUI outdated, do you have to update also your current products?

[techgnome]

at my last job, they moved to the ribbon because 99% of their users are the types that also use Office.... it was a long and heated discussion on whether we should move to the ribbon. They use Infragistics Ribbon.... Microsoft has put a lot of time & effort into it... I don't think it's going to change any time soon. But if it does, then I'm sure there will be another round of discussions on if it should change or not.

At my current job... it's all menus and there are no plans what so ever to change it.

-tg

[dee-u]

Aren't you using toolbars?

[techgnome]

somewhat.... but the menuing and toolbars are so rudimentry that havign a ribbon would be overkill. I think the longest toolbar has maybe 12 items in it...

-tg

[DeanMc]

As I have stated numerous times. WPF will change all of this. You wouldn't make a website without a designer, this is what will happen programing, The cards have told me this.