NikonGear'23
The NikonGear Office => Site Issues => Topic started by: ColinM on January 29, 2016, 15:01:51
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This probably isn't a new thing but lately I've found that it's really easy to miss the wrong control when browsing the site on my iPad 2.
So on a popular thread, I often want to go straight to the last page, which involves touching a tiny digit (as opposed to the title of the thread, which is generally ok).
Then, around 5 time out of 10, I find I've clicked the poster's name, or sometimes even the thread underneath. Obviously this isn't an issue with a computer because of the greater control offered by the mouse plus high res screen. I rarely use a phone, but when I do it's obviously worse.
So I wanted to know
- Has anyone else also found this?
- Are there any options available?
(The previous NG site offered a mobile interface???)
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I use iPad Air 2 along with my usual desktop PC. Whenever I realize the digit is too tiny, I will pinch out the display to enlarge, which solves the problem.
Personally I don't like the mobile neterface which is too limited and crumsy to use.
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I wouldn't normally even try with my iPhone but I have with the iPad, I almost always access websites from 'Latest Unread Posts' and on this forum the 'button' is well separated from the rest of the active items so my thick fingers manage OK.
Have you tried a stylus? They are cheap enough, I use one on the iPad and iPhone if I have any intensive stuff to do, much better selection then a finger.
In line with simplicity I doubt we will see a mobile version of NikonGear any time soon, KISS rules!
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On my Galaxy phone, I have no real problems. Quite used to it.
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About 8% of the traffic to the NG site is via smartphones or tablets.
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When I browse from my Android phone I do as Akira, make the text bigger if needed
I prefer doing that vs pages that get dumbed down with mobile specific interfaces
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Thanks guys.
I agree, the mobile versions of some sites (e.g. Facebook) are often frustrating because of what they leave out.
I'll be honest and say I can't be bothered to use a stylus, mainly because no other site I use needs one.
I'm surprised only 8% of NG traffic is from smaller devices. Guess that reflects the fact that many of you are using your desktops for PP so it's natural to check into NG whilst you're there and a lot of the poor design for tablets doesn't affect you.
For me, I use my desktop less and less and the tablet is my prime tool (I avoid phones for websites unless I'm forced to). So I guess I'll just have to take Akira's advice and "zoom in".
Meanwhile I think that although for the majority of functions, the forum software works quite well, it misses out in a few areas.
- The close spacing of some items that I mentioned in my opening message is one.
- The fact that it offers us a "Go Up/down" option at the top & bottom of each page, but doesn't offer a button to move the "next" or "previous" page is baffling (which do you find yourself needing more?).
Yes, there's a next & previous option, but it takes you to the next topic!!
Shame.
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NG is based on free forum software. It might not be ideal, but certainly incurs low costs :D.
Initially we looked into themes specifically made for small devices, but never were entirely pleased with what was offered. Commercial versions exist, but since we wanted to allow the site to evolve slowly by natural selection in conjunction with a low-budget profile, we refrained from sinking a lot of money into such schemes.
Of course, if the traffic volume from mobile devices grows substantial enough, we will have to find a better solution than we have today.
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Thanks Bjorn, and I completely agree with your approach for now.
Just wanted to see how others felt.
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Works well on an iPhone 6 zooming here and there,,, ;)
I'll try to find a stylus for it ;)
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No problem of a Windows phone Lumia 930. I even posted a few smartphone images from it. No need for another template for me even if I occasionally touch the wrong button.
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Of course, if the traffic volume from mobile devices grows substantial enough, we will have to find a better solution than we have today.
To be ready for all sorts of devices, a responsive design is required. For example phpBB, but there are more. Like you say, something to worry about later.
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I'm fine with it as is. I often have my phone request the desktop version of sites because of how much mobile versions cut out. Often cuts out the things I want access to in the first place.
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It is still a PITA to browse this site on a phone.
I have a very nice phone. "Samsung Galaxy Note II"
5.5 inch HD Screen. All crituque points are still valid as before.
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Works well on an iPhone 6 zooming here and there,,, ;)
I'll try to find a stylus for it ;)
Very true. Not very ergonomic. Still sufficient for quick reading when travelling.
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NG on my phone is like any other website - tiny.
A lot of pinching and scrolling around, not comfortable but doable :)
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It is still a PITA to browse this site on a phone.
I have a very nice phone. "Samsung Galaxy Note II" 5.5 inch HD Screen. All crituque points are still valid as before.
Thanks Frank.
I'm happy to leave this be for now (as per Bjorn's comment above).
Just to clarify things, A few others have mentioned using the site with their phone on an occasional basis. My issue is with one or two areas (mentioned above) which make it hard to use the site on a tablet (not a phone) as my primary computing device.
But I'm sure there are other higher priority areas that keep the Admin people busy. And there are plenty of other websites that don't handle multiple devices well - on balance NG is usually a pleasure to use. Thank you again to Bjorn, Andrea & everyone else who keeps it running smoothly.
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I use the site 75% on the phone.
I have found work arounds for most issues but I still lose comments by accidentially touching the wrong spot.
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A smartphone will never be the optimal device for a forum like this.
I sometimes check new comments on my iPhone, which works ok, but that's it.
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Most of the different forum softwares nowadays are not made for mobile devices. Actually, it's no technical problem to let a website look and behave like a dedicated app for a mobile device. But in order to do that, you'd have to design your software from the beginning with mobile users in mind. Everything else will take quite some work afterwards.
Heck, this forum is designed with 4:3 displays and low resolutions in mind... Version 2 came out in 2008 and that version is not too different from version 1 which is even a few years older.
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Photographs, knowledge and an exchange of ideas are what's important. I find the forum OK on a 720p Android phone. If only my dexterity were better.
Dave
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I use iPad Air 2 along with my usual desktop PC. Whenever I realize the digit is too tiny, I will pinch out the display to enlarge, which solves the problem.
Personally I don't like the mobile neterface which is too limited and crumsy to use.
Using an iPhone 5s exactly the same way; no complaint.
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Just a short google research:
http://www.smfmobiletheme.com/
This theme is optimised for mobile devices and is if correctly installed just visible for mobile devices.
Harald
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Browse almost exclusively on iPad Air. No problems. Would like to have a more direct access to my written messages instead of to have to browse trough Profile, Summary, Show Posts..
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Normally I'm browsing from an iMac/MBA, during holidays I'm using an iPad. Pretty comfortable (just the keypad isn't)
Tried it a few times on a phone, but won't do that again.
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I use an iMac at home and also an iPad mini. With the iPad selecting something can get trickey, but at least my digits are not too meaty, I find using an iPhone is not really sufficient, things get a bit small.
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I doubt forums like this will ever be really good on a smartphone. Slack works pretty well, but that's an advanced irc chat, not a forum.
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I actually use my iPhone and iPad without big issues, just when I want to see the picture in a good way, I will use my iMac. The forum works fine so no reason for investing time and money in a specific "small screen optimised" version.
Posted on my iPhone ;-)