Some new user suggestions

[nonono]

Hello, first I would like to say that I just love your program. Second, let me provide you some feedback that you may find useful:

 

1. When selecting the burn button (Burn files to disk), the program prompts me for the disk / volume name (omitted by default). If users omit the volume name, I think it's safe to assume the user is ok with a default name; no need to prompt.

2. The interface can be very cluttered. For example, the burn files to disk window has a lot of small icons. Some useful, some not really needed (can be in the menu bar). The useful ones should be bigger and more obvious; e.g. I didn't notice the erase disk icon ( I had to find it burried 3 deep in the menu bar ). Others could go; e.g. switch to large size window (why not allow me to resize the window and automatically remember the size for next time), switch to image file output (I would have chosen the other option in the main menu), Display Graph data using ... (?). Also, plain text like 'Eject', 'Load', 'Add', 'Delete', etc. is often much easier to understand than the icons. I had to hover over each icon to understand its meaning. The same applied to the image burn window. By default the main box where the files and folders are listed should be bigger as well. --> This is just a rant from someone who isn't familiar with the program and might help improve understanding and using the application for new users.

3. Last but not least; change the name of the program to something more general. I had always known imgburn, but I always thought it only allowed burning image files (hence the name). Only after a friend showed that imgburn also allows you to burn files / folders; I instantly dumped all other burning software. The name of the program is very important to convey its meaning, the current one doesn't apply anymore.

 

Cheers.

[mmalves]

1) there's an option in the settings (Build tab) that allows you to always use the default suggested name, and although this is what works for you, it isn't the best option for most people.

2) when there wasn't icons/buttons people complained that they had to dig in the menus to find what they wanted, again it's down to what you like not being what most people prefer.

3) not even a slight chance of happening, since a program that doesn't stick to its original name always loses users in the transition. This could be said from DVD Decrypter, whose burn engine was made batter and turned into ImgBurn, yet a lot of people still use the former program for burning. Some people (you can see many thread in this very forum about this) don't even bother to update ImgBurn purely because they think the newer version has no improvements and/or is different from the old version (/myrant)

 

Please notice that these are my own opinions and may not reflect the author's opinions, which will be expressed in due time

[nonono]

1) there's an option in the settings (Build tab) that allows you to always use the default suggested name, and although this is what works for you, it isn't the best option for most people.

2) when there wasn't icons/buttons people complained that they had to dig in the menus to find what they wanted, again it's down to what you like not being what most people prefer.

3) not even a slight chance of happening, since a program that doesn't stick to its original name always loses users in the transition. This could be said from DVD Decrypter, whose burn engine was made batter and turned into ImgBurn, yet a lot of people still use the former program for burning. Some people (you can see many thread in this very forum about this) don't even bother to update ImgBurn purely because they think the newer version has no improvements and/or is different from the old version (/myrant)

 

Please notice that these are my own opinions and may not reflect the author's opinions, which will be expressed in due time

 

So what target group is ImgBurn aimed at? The program is simple in design, allows users to perform basic CD / DVD burning task and is intuitive to use. I would think the program is aimed at the general computer user. The general computer user usually wants to accomplish their tasks with as little burdon as possible, no excess options or popup boxes (put these in advanced settings and set the defaults right). My comments basically related to that. I've never seen anybody care about the dvd volume title. All the little icons are also difficult to understand without hovering over them to understand the meaning. You'll get used to it, but why should new users have to learn? Even I as advanced computer user overlooked the tiny erase disk icon. However, if there is a RW disk in the drive, that is likely the first step I would like to perform in the 'write files to disk' window (should thus be placed at the top left of the window, above 'source'). And I don't know why Display Graph Data using DVDInfoPro would be an often used option.

 

About a new name; If you put a place holder text on the old website with 'ImgBurn is now called ....Burn' and redirect after 5 sec to the new site, you aren't going to lose any users. The site and community will stay the same, just a new name.

 

edit: The burn files to disk window for example has a left and right panel. I would keep the left panel as basic as possible; easy to understand, intuitive to use (e.g. erase disk before selecting new files) and clutter free. The right panel contains all the advanced settings, with everything set correct by default (like the disk name). These can be editted if needed, but don't have to be as the defaults are correct. Make the left panel bigger (so you can actually see the filepath of the files you selected) and the window is perfect.

Edited September 13, 2008 by nonono

[nonono]

See image attached, looks a lot cleaner and you can just work from top to bottom.

Edited September 14, 2008 by nonono

[blutach]

If you wanna see the paths in their glory, click on the green "switch to large size" arrow icon (omitted from your diagram), or press Alt-Enter.

 

I guess suggestions are always welcome, but it really is up to LUK to design his program the way he wants. If there are a preponderance of people who want changes, he'll observe this and make them. Otherwise, you're just flogging a dead horse by continuing on.

 

In any event, LUK has hinted changes to build mode - search for posts by him over the last month.

 

Regards

[nonono]

I don't want to push anything if it seems to appear that way. These were just suggestions that I hope will be implemented. I'll leave it alone now and look forward to future versions. Keep up the good work LUK. Cheers.