Wedge
Public area => The Pub => Off-topic => Topic started by: Arantor on January 23rd, 2013, 01:05 AM
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Is it just me or do plugin authors generally write fairly poor user interfaces for their plugins/mods?
I know I did a few times, but usually because of keeping it straightforward to integrate into the ACP and minimise manual edits, but when I stretched my legs with SimpleDesk, I spent a fair amount of time writing a decent admin UI and I think it shows the effort that went into it.
Am I being overly cynical or are a lot of plugins lacking decent UI? Is this something we should try to discourage in Wedge?
/mehas absolutely no restrictions about forcing plugin authors to produce decent user interfaces ;)
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It's not just you. Generally, interfaces by developers generally look bad.
Forcing good UIs might overwhelm programmers.
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Hmm, maybe, but if you're not up to creating even a modest UI, how much of a plugin are you writing anyway?
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I've made some simple UIs for a text based game before. If I were to create a plugin for Wedge, I would at least do my best to be consistent with the appearance of my plugin. Even if it means having to adopt coding style.
This should be discouraged. What should appear in documentation for making a simple Wedge plugin:
- Examples of simple switches & buttons
- What to include/exclude
- Example of good and bad UI
- Categorizing options and proper labeling
- A complete working plugin you can install to your forum and see the codes to help you get started
To spice it up, this should be done with a sense of humor. o_o
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So, encourage rather than beat them with a big stick. I can probably manage that :niark:
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I agree there should be some consistency in UI especially what it seen by the users. While I may groan about an ugly ACP as the admin I tend to get over it unless for some reason I have to spend a lot of time in the ACP. I also say encouragement is best.
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Although not being a coder myself, I agree that it makes more sense to encourage rather than beat with a stick.
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I think the best way to encourage authors to produce good UI, is to release a dummy plugin with a good UI, and invite them to base their new plugins off it...
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Will there be a vetting process for new plugins as there is on SMF? (I ask because I remember talk of there being none.) If so this could be the stage at which you state the required UI changes in order to be passed.
Not a coder myself, but I assume that there are those who can code great new features but not great on looks, and those who are great on UIs but would never make a new plugin. Maybe the latter could help out the former in some capacity?
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I'm intending to have a vetting process, yes.
And yes, I can imagine there would be some collaboration, though I did.add some small features that would help.
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So, encourage rather than beat them with a big stick. I can probably manage that :niark: