iCompta 5.0.1 - what's left to fix IMHO
Posted: 05 October 2013, 11:59
Disclaimer: those are all my opinions
So after the tsunami that destroyed my beloved icompta v4 interface I'm left with the "new" 5.0.1 version. The big discount is tempting me but I still find some very annoying points I want to illustrate and get some feedback from other people (and the developer too of course!)
Here we go!
0) interface color scheme... I'll skip this because Cyril knows I don't like it and others are talking about it in the forum and the App store. (many are talking about it actually...)
1) Font size: good thing... the terrible interface made of huge elements I was complaining of during the beta time is partly gone. Partly. You can tame the beast to something more usable, but for some unknown reason I'm stuck with a font size of what? 24 points Helvetica? I understand I might becoming an old man but this is SO HUGE BY NO REASON AND TAKING AWAY A LOT OF SCREEN ESTATE. Sorry no mean to shout, just pretending to show how (still) terrible that font size is. I have a 20" monitor so it looks awesomely huge.
During the beta I suggested giving people the choice to set their font size for the transaction list interface (try opening Textedit, write&select a random text then hit Apple + or Apple -...see how cool and easy is to change font size?). No harm for the rest of interface, text just flows. It would let me see *so many more* transactions. If not that, a simple entry in the prefs and deal.
2) Edit panel: although my first complain was with the color scheme (grey on black, seriously?) it's still there. Take that ergonomics! That said it still uses a lot of space. I find myself scrolling a lot during editing while I'd absolutely pay 1 euro more for something I can just tab tab away while I edit in a single screen (yes you can tab now, but I still believe this loooong scrollable list is... too long and unfriendly). What about let me rearrange elements or permanently hide sections I don't use (I'm looking at you Links thing!)
3) Budgets: oh well I have an hate and love relationships with them since the first date during the beta. I so like the new interface (even tho it now scrolls out of my screen...why every thing have to be so gigantastically big on v5?) but I definitely hate the new logic. Anyway I'd kill for two simple buttons (read arrows if you prefer) that would let me jump from a month to another based on the actual selected date so i don't have to open the calendar, scroll and click. Just two easy arrows, left and right. 5 mins of work, I suggest we start a kickstarter project and get it funded
I also miss the past balances list! It let me quickly view if I had been a good boy or not with a deadly simple but perfect list made of green or red dots! I want it back so badly! Seriously this time, it was very useful for me.
4) suggestions: we had a TONS of suggestions and improvement requests on the forum where you Cyril answered with the motto "that will be possible on V5). I think they got lost somewhere in your hd because I don't see many implemented. Like...
· What about a better saved filters management? (grouping, sorting, etc)
· What about the default filter? one that the program defaults to whenever you click on something that resets your actual filter
· Reports with a custom starting date (not locked to the first day of the month)?
· Hiding past years transactions we want to keep but not to show? I know I can male a filter but during a session I have to select that filter so many times since the program won't stick at it!
· Asking for a name when you save a new filter?
· Many others...
So that's it for now. I'll keep using V4 as long as it will be supported or until other improvements will get incorporated into the v5xx serie. V5.0.1 is a good step in the right direction and I hope my beloved iCompta will get back in shape with a shiny new suit soon!
Greets,
Ivan
So after the tsunami that destroyed my beloved icompta v4 interface I'm left with the "new" 5.0.1 version. The big discount is tempting me but I still find some very annoying points I want to illustrate and get some feedback from other people (and the developer too of course!)
Here we go!
0) interface color scheme... I'll skip this because Cyril knows I don't like it and others are talking about it in the forum and the App store. (many are talking about it actually...)
1) Font size: good thing... the terrible interface made of huge elements I was complaining of during the beta time is partly gone. Partly. You can tame the beast to something more usable, but for some unknown reason I'm stuck with a font size of what? 24 points Helvetica? I understand I might becoming an old man but this is SO HUGE BY NO REASON AND TAKING AWAY A LOT OF SCREEN ESTATE. Sorry no mean to shout, just pretending to show how (still) terrible that font size is. I have a 20" monitor so it looks awesomely huge.
During the beta I suggested giving people the choice to set their font size for the transaction list interface (try opening Textedit, write&select a random text then hit Apple + or Apple -...see how cool and easy is to change font size?). No harm for the rest of interface, text just flows. It would let me see *so many more* transactions. If not that, a simple entry in the prefs and deal.
2) Edit panel: although my first complain was with the color scheme (grey on black, seriously?) it's still there. Take that ergonomics! That said it still uses a lot of space. I find myself scrolling a lot during editing while I'd absolutely pay 1 euro more for something I can just tab tab away while I edit in a single screen (yes you can tab now, but I still believe this loooong scrollable list is... too long and unfriendly). What about let me rearrange elements or permanently hide sections I don't use (I'm looking at you Links thing!)
3) Budgets: oh well I have an hate and love relationships with them since the first date during the beta. I so like the new interface (even tho it now scrolls out of my screen...why every thing have to be so gigantastically big on v5?) but I definitely hate the new logic. Anyway I'd kill for two simple buttons (read arrows if you prefer) that would let me jump from a month to another based on the actual selected date so i don't have to open the calendar, scroll and click. Just two easy arrows, left and right. 5 mins of work, I suggest we start a kickstarter project and get it funded
I also miss the past balances list! It let me quickly view if I had been a good boy or not with a deadly simple but perfect list made of green or red dots! I want it back so badly! Seriously this time, it was very useful for me.
4) suggestions: we had a TONS of suggestions and improvement requests on the forum where you Cyril answered with the motto "that will be possible on V5). I think they got lost somewhere in your hd because I don't see many implemented. Like...
· What about a better saved filters management? (grouping, sorting, etc)
· What about the default filter? one that the program defaults to whenever you click on something that resets your actual filter
· Reports with a custom starting date (not locked to the first day of the month)?
· Hiding past years transactions we want to keep but not to show? I know I can male a filter but during a session I have to select that filter so many times since the program won't stick at it!
· Asking for a name when you save a new filter?
· Many others...
So that's it for now. I'll keep using V4 as long as it will be supported or until other improvements will get incorporated into the v5xx serie. V5.0.1 is a good step in the right direction and I hope my beloved iCompta will get back in shape with a shiny new suit soon!
Greets,
Ivan