Author Topic: I'm the Aqua Mail designer - just wanted to introduce myself  (Read 30529 times)

nadir husain

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Re: I'm the Aqua Mail designer - just wanted to introduce myself
« Reply #15 on: March 06, 2017, 04:59:33 pm »
Having said that, however, I realize I need to be more careful and find a better balance between what old-time users want and like, what new users want and like, what my boss wants, etc.  This is why I'm here, and I'll try to be as active as I can, ask the community about future changes, listen to feedback, etc.
First of all, welcome!

I value an application with an updated design but I value more functionality. While you don't reduce or impair functionality I will try to adapt to the new design. I know it takes time sometimes, and that you can't please everybody. In any case thank you for your work.
+10000000

Re: I'm the Aqua Mail designer - just wanted to introduce myself
« Reply #16 on: March 06, 2017, 05:37:27 pm »
I really miss the Floating Tool Bar (FTB) being vertical.  Any chance this can be made an option?  Even better, make it truly floating, in that it could be dragged and AM will remember its position.

Hi,
Could you explain why you like it better vertically positioned ? Is it just because it used to be that way, or are there particular reasons why you find it more comfortable that way? My argument for horizontal: easier to reach with the thumb by both right-handed and left-handed people.


ThomasN

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Re: I'm the Aqua Mail designer - just wanted to introduce myself
« Reply #17 on: March 06, 2017, 07:00:40 pm »
I love AquaMail and don't mind the new design (except the logo/icon, miss the @). But please include .png  as supported file type for size reduction when attaching images. Used by screenshots.

Sent fra min SM-T810 via Tapatalk


jcasares

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Re: I'm the Aqua Mail designer - just wanted to introduce myself
« Reply #18 on: March 06, 2017, 07:29:11 pm »
But please include .png  as supported file type for size reduction when attaching images. Used by screenshots.
I second that.

Jeff

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Re: I'm the Aqua Mail designer - just wanted to introduce myself
« Reply #19 on: March 06, 2017, 07:57:04 pm »


Could you explain why you like it better vertically positioned ? Is it just because it used to be that way, or are there particular reasons why you find it more comfortable that way? My argument for horizontal: easier to reach with the thumb by both right-handed and left-handed people.

For me, it was more easily distinguished from the other standard UI elements, which are all horizontal.  It seems an option to have it be either orientation would please both those that wish it Vertical and those that wish it Horizontal. 

Being able to position it would be an added bonus.

Re: I'm the Aqua Mail designer - just wanted to introduce myself
« Reply #20 on: March 07, 2017, 10:52:50 am »
But please include .png  as supported file type for size reduction when attaching images. Used by screenshots.
I second that.

I submitted the idea to our product manager, hopefully will see the light of day at some point!

Re: I'm the Aqua Mail designer - just wanted to introduce myself
« Reply #21 on: March 07, 2017, 12:09:46 pm »
Great to know it's not intentional design. When do you intend to "fix" it? Thank you.

I submitted this to our internal bug tracker. It will be fixed in time, depending on its complexity. Thanks!

Kostya Vasilyev

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Re: I'm the Aqua Mail designer - just wanted to introduce myself
« Reply #22 on: March 07, 2017, 08:34:34 pm »
Quote
Just before you finish 1.8, please see attached screenshot. It's without "slim padding" so it's layout by default, and as shown, the white band between "account/folder name" line and first title line is too large. It is significantly larger than the space between "account/folder name" and the preview lines of the previous message.

Would you please decrease the width of that space (by 20 or 25%, or even less).
The user would gain in layount balance (especially when there attachement clips or message size displayed): the "colored" line will be closer to the title of its message. I don't see any cons for that change.

Done in 1.9 build 222:

https://www.aqua-mail.com/forum/index.php?topic=5478.0

Made the spacing "below account / folder label" 6sp for "default settings" and 2sp for when "slim padding" is enabled.

Prior to the change, the spacing was equal to the padding along the bottom - 12sp or 6sp in "default" / "slim" padding respectively.
Creating debug logs for diagnostics: https://www.aqua-mail.com/troubleshooting/

The official FAQ: https://www.aqua-mail.com/faq/

Лог-файлы для диагностики: https://www.aqua-mail.com/ru/troubleshooting/

Вопросы и ответы: https://www.aqua-mail.com/ru/faq/

Kostya Vasilyev

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Re: I'm the Aqua Mail designer - just wanted to introduce myself
« Reply #23 on: March 08, 2017, 12:40:45 pm »
I'll try 4sp in the next build.
Creating debug logs for diagnostics: https://www.aqua-mail.com/troubleshooting/

The official FAQ: https://www.aqua-mail.com/faq/

Лог-файлы для диагностики: https://www.aqua-mail.com/ru/troubleshooting/

Вопросы и ответы: https://www.aqua-mail.com/ru/faq/

Kostya Vasilyev

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Re: I'm the Aqua Mail designer - just wanted to introduce myself
« Reply #24 on: March 08, 2017, 12:51:32 pm »
4sp when "slim padding" enabled: build 223.

https://www.aqua-mail.com/forum/index.php?topic=5478.0
Creating debug logs for diagnostics: https://www.aqua-mail.com/troubleshooting/

The official FAQ: https://www.aqua-mail.com/faq/

Лог-файлы для диагностики: https://www.aqua-mail.com/ru/troubleshooting/

Вопросы и ответы: https://www.aqua-mail.com/ru/faq/

Kostya Vasilyev

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Re: I'm the Aqua Mail designer - just wanted to introduce myself
« Reply #25 on: March 08, 2017, 08:51:10 pm »
Yeah, looks very good to my eyes too.
Creating debug logs for diagnostics: https://www.aqua-mail.com/troubleshooting/

The official FAQ: https://www.aqua-mail.com/faq/

Лог-файлы для диагностики: https://www.aqua-mail.com/ru/troubleshooting/

Вопросы и ответы: https://www.aqua-mail.com/ru/faq/

Julian

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Re: I'm the Aqua Mail designer - just wanted to introduce myself
« Reply #26 on: March 09, 2017, 08:47:11 pm »
I originally posted this elsewhere under the subject "Slim Padding and general space problems in ver 1.8 and 1.9 compared to 1.7 " but was asked to put it here.

Dear All,

Version 1.7.2-132 compared to version 1.9.0-224-dev.

First, thank you for the improvements made so far.

Second, may I just repeat myself briefly by saying that one of the great things about AquaMail is the regular updates. Personally, I believe regular change can be a positive thing for apps, however, the best apps that I use are the apps best at presenting the maximum amount of well organised information in the smallest space, the main limitation of a mobile's screen. The most recent update significantly reduces the information available on my mobile's screen within AquaMail (please see the attached screenshots, with the same 'Message list' settings).

Third, analysing the problem, there are a number of points to consider:
1. It is clear that the space between the messages is much greater in ver 1.9.  I know that changes have been made over the original 1.8 release, but it is clear that slim padding is still less aggressive than before and I don't understand why the settings can't just be rolled over - why take away my ability to set padding to the same amount as in version 1.7?
2. In the examples below, both 'message list' settings have set the font size to 'normal'. Is 'normal', now not normal? Has the value for 'normal' changed for some reason? Even if I change the 'normal' to 'small' in the 1.9 version it doesn't do much to help recreate the 1.7 'message list', there is still too much unnecessary padding.
3. Perhaps one of the problems is the replacement of the tick with a box and the new way the checkbox is anchored vertically. It appears, that whereas the old tick always took up the same vertical space as the first two lines of a message, the new box is centred vertically taking up just half of the top line's space, all the middle line's space and half the third line's space. I can see that this could be considered better - but equally it can clearly be considered worse. It looks much worse in the example attached. And, on the subject of the check box, why is the box much fatter in terms of vertical space than the tick? It takes up so much more space in each direction than necessary and doesn't seem to look better as a result, so why do this?
4. By moving the paperclip to above the star, another line has been added between messages with attachments - the paperclip was happy where it was. Why move it to somewhere where it harms the amount of information that can fit on the screen, what's the point, as it looked good previously.
5. Similarly the message received time is in a vertical line with the paperclip and star - why have you changed this? The more information that can be presented inline like in ver 1.7, then the greater number of messages can be seen - why mess with this. It seems to me that the message received time is now much less easy to see at a glance, that is not progress.
6 I have also noticed, and it is clear in the attachments, that the new version shows an empty line of space where there is no message text to preview - this is inefficient and again an unnecessary change. If a line is empty, then why present it - what's the point of a completely empty line, when space is at a premium?

It is hard to look at the new screen in ver 1.9 compared to ver 1.7, in this case, and not notice how much worse it is, not just from a look and feel point of view, but most importantly with regards to information. There is less information presented and space where there need not be. Does anybody reading this prefer the look of the new screen in my attached screenshots? If not, I can't see the justification for these changes. Why have changes if they don't either increase the information available or make the presentation better? The screen in ver 1.7 is really very good, looks good, well balanced, clear and lots of information and nearly no wasted space.

I have seen other discussion of 'slim padding' on the forum and see that generally others are having similar complaints. I wonder whether a possible solution might be to have 2 choices? Perhaps 'Original' (as in ver 1.7), 'New' (as in ver1.8) and 'None' (as in every version without padding)?

In any case, please may I plead with you to help me get back the 'message list' that I have grown so fond of? Just give me access to the settings I had before please.

Thank you again for your time on this and thank you to the whole forum for your thoughts.

Regards,

Julian

Kostya Vasilyev

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Re: I'm the Aqua Mail designer - just wanted to introduce myself
« Reply #27 on: March 09, 2017, 08:50:09 pm »
Thank you @Julian, and I just posted a suggestion in your original post which should address at least two of your concerns.
Creating debug logs for diagnostics: https://www.aqua-mail.com/troubleshooting/

The official FAQ: https://www.aqua-mail.com/faq/

Лог-файлы для диагностики: https://www.aqua-mail.com/ru/troubleshooting/

Вопросы и ответы: https://www.aqua-mail.com/ru/faq/

Julian

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Re: I'm the Aqua Mail designer - just wanted to introduce myself
« Reply #28 on: March 09, 2017, 09:28:49 pm »
I was asked to put this here - I already posted it under "Slim Padding and general space problems in ver 1.8 and 1.9 compared to 1.7 "

Dear All,

Version 1.7.2-132 compared to version 1.9.0-224-dev.

First, thank you for the improvements made so far.

Second, may I just repeat myself briefly by saying that one of the great things about AquaMail is the regular updates. Personally, I believe regular change can be a positive thing for apps, however, the best apps that I use are the apps best at presenting the maximum amount of well organised information in the smallest space, the main limitation of a mobile's screen. The most recent update significantly reduces the information available on my mobile's screen within AquaMail (please see the attached screenshots, with the same 'Message list' settings).

Third, analysing the problem, there are a number of points to consider:
1. It is clear that the space between the messages is much greater in ver 1.9.  I know that changes have been made over the original 1.8 release, but it is clear that slim padding is still less aggressive than before and I don't understand why the settings can't just be rolled over - why take away my ability to set padding to the same amount as in version 1.7?
2. In the examples below, both 'message list' settings have set the font size to 'normal'. Is 'normal', now not normal? Has the value for 'normal' changed for some reason? Even if I change the 'normal' to 'small' in the 1.9 version it doesn't do much to help recreate the 1.7 'message list', there is still too much unnecessary padding.
3. Perhaps one of the problems is the replacement of the tick with a box and the new way the checkbox is anchored vertically. It appears, that whereas the old tick always took up the same vertical space as the first two lines of a message, the new box is centred vertically taking up just half of the top line's space, all the middle line's space and half the third line's space. I can see that this could be considered better - but equally it can clearly be considered worse. It looks much worse in the example attached. And, on the subject of the check box, why is the box much fatter in terms of vertical space than the tick? It takes up so much more space in each direction than necessary and doesn't seem to look better as a result, so why do this?
4. By moving the paperclip to above the star, another line has been added between messages with attachments - the paperclip was happy where it was. Why move it to somewhere where it harms the amount of information that can fit on the screen, what's the point, as it looked good previously.
5. Similarly the message received time is in a vertical line with the paperclip and star - why have you changed this? The more information that can be presented inline like in ver 1.7, then the greater number of messages can be seen - why mess with this. It seems to me that the message received time is now much less easy to see at a glance, that is not progress.
6 I have also noticed, and it is clear in the attachments, that the new version shows an empty line of space where there is no message text to preview - this is inefficient and again an unnecessary change. If a line is empty, then why present it - what's the point of a completely empty line, when space is at a premium?

It is hard to look at the new screen in ver 1.9 compared to ver 1.7, in this case, and not notice how much worse it is, not just from a look and feel point of view, but most importantly with regards to information. There is less information presented and space where there need not be. Does anybody reading this prefer the look of the new screen in my attached screenshots? If not, I can't see the justification for these changes. Why have changes if they don't either increase the information available or make the presentation better? The screen in ver 1.7 is really very good, looks good, well balanced, clear and lots of information and nearly no wasted space.

I have seen other discussion of 'slim padding' on the forum and see that generally others are having similar complaints. I wonder whether a possible solution might be to have 2 choices? Perhaps 'Original' (as in ver 1.7), 'New' (as in ver1.8) and 'None' (as in every version without padding)?

In any case, please may I plead with you to help me get back the 'message list' that I have grown so fond of? Just give me access to the settings I had before please.

Thank you again for your time on this and thank you to the whole forum for your thoughts.

Regards,

Julian

Update:
I was told to use different settings in 1.9, i.e. to turn of message indents. This certainly helps with the amount of data on the screen - see attachment.
What seems to be happening is that the non indented line is squashing the check box box, this is much better because it increases the number of messages presented, but it doesn't look great not to have the indentation - just compare it to the original.
For the moment, the other problems persist.
Slim Padding can't be set as slim as before.
Font sizes have changed. Normal isn't normal anymore.
Check box width is too wide.
The paperclip is unnecessarily hogging vertical and horizontal space.
The date received time is taking up vertical space and is much less visible.

Thanks as always.

Julian

 

mikeone

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Re: I'm the Aqua Mail designer - just wanted to introduce myself
« Reply #29 on: March 09, 2017, 09:47:49 pm »
Thank you @Julian, and I just posted a suggestion in your original post which should address at least two of your concerns.
Here are @Kostya's suggestions:

Please turn off app settings -> message list -> indent previews and you will immediately see a difference:

- the checkbox or the contact image will be vertically aligned on the first two lines (sender / subject) not three (sender / subject / first line of preview)

- the empty line of "message text preview", when there is no actual preview, will go away

Font sizes have been adjusted somewhat, yes. We still provide a way to adjust them individually (app settings -> message list -> second half of the list -> you can adjust the size of "line 1" or "line 2" making them larger / smaller as you wish, independently of the message list's overall size adjustment).

I leave the rest for the designer to respond to.