Version 1.6.2-dev1.8 - "work in progress"

[Davey126]

Hi - quick post to confirm my continued interest in having the ability to suppress (toggle on/off) the message list animations introduced in this development cycle. Timing tweaks have improved the appearence (thank you!) but it/they still represent a visual distraction that serves no purpose in my little corner of the world. I understand the intent and take no issue with the value for some users.

[mikeone]

Hi - quick post to confirm my continued interest in having the ability to suppress (toggle on/off) the message list animations introduced in this development cycle. Timing tweaks have improved the appearence (thank you!) but it/they still represent a visual distraction that serves no purpose in my little corner of the world. I understand the intent and take no issue with the value for some users.

Davey:
For me it's not really clear how the currently implemented animations in the message list could be a "visual distraction"...!?
Some explanations are very welcome. 

[Kostya Vasilyev]

I only implemented them because Gmail app has them (and it was a pain too).

You know, the good old "but all other apps" argument.

Now, last night I reduced the duration of "color splashes" from 220 to 150 ms, this change is not posted yet, but will be soon (maybe even today).

[mikeone]

I only implemented them because Gmail app has them (and it was a pain too).

You know, the good old "but all other apps" argument.

Now, last night I reduced the duration of "color splashes" from 220 to 150 ms, this change is not posted yet, but will be soon (maybe even today).

So, you mean the "red", "green", "yellow" background color which appears in place of the (moved) messages, correct?

[Davey126]

Davey:
For me it's not really clear how the currently implemented animations in the message list should be a "visual distraction"...!?
Some explanations are very welcome. 

Hi Mikeone - you know how it goes with visuals. One person's annoyance is anothers Picasso!

That said, there are two aspects of the message list animation that I find troubling:
- color flash that draws my attention; I realize that's the intent (highlight last action) but I don't need or want it
- a subtle delay before next operation can be performed if that action is on a message further down in the message list (moving target)

The upcoming 30% reduction may help with both items. I tend to suppress and/or shorten most animations on my devices. Examples:
- keyboard long-press delay set to 150 ms (android default = 400 ms)
- window and related animation scales under developer options set to 0.7 (android default = 1.0)

Those setting still allow smooth, progressive transitions (butter as Google calls it) but dispense with the unnecessary delays and visual 'bling' have come to characterize many UIs. My devices serve as productivity tools; I am not interested in having a candlelight relationship with them (LoL). Ah crap - my tablet just burst into tears. Damage control ...

Suppose the same arguments could be mounted for the highly granular control over colors, fonts, etc. AquaMail offers in the message list.

 

[Davey126]

So, you mean the "red", "green", "yellow" background color which appears in place of the (moved) messages, correct?

For me, yes (although there may be others)

[mikeone]

So, you mean the "red", "green", "yellow" background color which appears in place of the (moved) messages, correct?

For me, yes (although there may be others)

Red: move to deleted, delete permanently
Yellow: move to spam, move to folder..., Hide (keep on server)
Green: restore from deleted

[mikeone]

The upcoming 30% reduction may help with both items.

I suppose that the reduction from 0.22 to 0.15 sec will not substantially reduce the intrusiveness of the "color flash".
However, as already mentioned I do not feel impaired even with the current 220 ms.

[Kostya Vasilyev]

Re: unnecessary delays and visual 'bling' have come to characterize many UIs

I also find this trend annoying, obnoxious even.

But it is one of the marks of "modern UI design" whatever that means.

Same with almost-unreadable grey text on grey background, huge margins leaving very little room for actual information, and so on.

Fashion, you know (and it's not just Android).

[StR]

Fashion, you know (and it's not just Android).

Or, rather fad.   

[Kostya Vasilyev]

Fad or fashion -- it's what (a lot of) users expect.

And no, personally I'm not a fan of excessive animation or low contrast text or too much empty space.

[Kostya Vasilyev]

Re: Maybe a setting to enable/disable splash

Maybe. As you already know, I already indicated that I'm open to this idea, but would like to experiment with splashes a bit more.

[Kostya Vasilyev]

Re: Ready to test

Good to know for when that's actually implemented