Accessing the Library (Not Recently Opened)

[Joe]

[Preface] I apologize for all of the feature requests / whining being done by me in these forums today. I plan on spending more time in iAccord and want to file some requests[/preface]

 

When I press the Library button, I really do wish to go to the library. I do not wish to go to the recently opened section of the library. One option I might want to see is the most recent 3-4 items on the top of the list of the library, followed by the normal list of library contents (More recents, texts, english tools, greek tools, etc.).  But I probably might just want to see the library as it is, with the option of me navigating to the recently used section if I choose to.

The library is organized in a particular way so I can quickly find the tool in the category it has been placed in. It takes me longer to scroll through a list that is in no set order, except what was accessed most recent, than it does to navigate the library. I don't always know where THGNT will be in the list, but I always know where it is in my library.

 

At least give a user preference of: When library button pressed, open: Library, Recently Opened.

 

Pretty please?

[jlm]

I also find the Recently Opened view gets in my way. If I open the library to do something other than switch modules (download, sync, settings), I can't just close the view when I've finished. I have to tap Library and then Close.

 

Since I also find the limited history facilities frustrating, I have this suggestion: instead of just a list of recently opened modules, offer a list of recently visited locations in modules, and make it accessible from a history button instead of a library button. That is, as there are two buttons on the bottom right related to the split screen, put two buttons on the bottom left, one for the library and one for history. The library button only goes to the library, and the history button shows recent combinations of module and location.

 

This is the sort of history view I have in mind (from PocketSword):

 

[Helen Brown]

There is now a Clear button at the top of the Library that removes the Recently Opened, in addition to the previous method in the New Tab menus.

[jlm]

I don't see how the Clear button helps. If I clear the list, then the first time I open the library it does show me the library directly because I have no recently opened modules, but that only fixes the problem for the first time. As soon as I switch modules I have recently opened modules again, and so I have to push the back button if I've opened the library for any reason other than switching modules.

 

The problem is that the library button is not just for switching modules, but also for syncing Dropbox, downloading modules, etc. If it was just for switching modules, then it would make sense to start with recently opened modules, but since it's also for five other things, the recently opened modules get in the way of users who open the library to do one of those five other things.

 

Then there's the more general problem that many actions (like searching) cause the app to forget where the user was. I think a history like I suggested would solve that, and would also replace the list of recently opened modules, getting it out of the way.

[Joe]

As soon as I switch modules I have recently opened modules again, and so I have to push the back button if I've opened the library for any reason other than switching modules.

 

The problem is that the library button is not just for switching modules, but also for syncing Dropbox, downloading modules, etc. If it was just for switching modules, then it would make sense to start with recently opened modules, but since it's also for five other things, the recently opened modules get in the way of users who open the library to do one of those five other things.

^^^ This is a good summary of the situation.

 

From a user interface design standpoint, when a user taps on a button for Library, they expect to always go to the library. That is why the button is called the library button. To tap the library to be brought to the recent modules section breaks what a user expects from the button. The button misrepresents what it is supposed to do. It’s not telling the truth about what its function is.

 

It’s mentally distracting and confusing to expect one action, go to the library, and get another, recents.

 

It is even more confusing as a person is learning the app. When they first get it, the button works as intended. It opens directly to the library for the first few times they tap it. But, as they open several modules, the button stops working as it did at first. Then they get frustrated when they can’t get it to work the way it did / the way it is supposed to. Instead of having a clear button as a work around, I would rather just be brought to the library, every time.

 

Now, the clear button makes sense to clear the recents. It’s a good button that should be there. But I should not have to tap it just because I want to show the library the next time I tap the library button. That’s pretty much just pre-tapping the back button so i don’t have to do it the next time I open the library.

 

Imagine if Accordance for Mac did something similar. If you clicked the library button in the toolbar and it gave you just a list of recents and made you click again to show the full library- that would be nonsense. Instead, it gives you a nice sidebar with your library, organized how you wish. The same thing should be true on the iOS version.

[ukfraser]

The inconsistent navigation within ios has long been the major frustration for me and detracts from what is a really useful app and one i use daily and wouldn't want to be without.

 

Resources when opened in Devotional, text (nrsv or esv) and reference (wbc or nivac) can all be changed from their title when seen in views offering one or two panes and this shows really good useful well thought out design and is how it should be throughout the app.

 

Instead, as soon as you open the same reference, eg wbc or nivac, in its own window, you have to jump through hoops to change it. Not only that, changing references when in a second window, it knows where you were looking and jumps to that spot (again useful and well thought out). However, Opening a reference in a single window, the app suffers amnesia and you then have to navigate to the place you were looking! Why isnt Changing resource from the title standard in english, hebrew, greek and general tools as well and where appropriate, remembering what you were looking at, particularly in dictionaries and lexicon?

 

I just hope a bit more thought has gone into the android accordance app and these inconcistencies havent been duplicated. I live in hope we will soon get a major upgrade soon with a radically overhauled and consistent navigation system. Like you, i hope recently opened is consigned to only its own icon which can gather electronic dust (particularly as recently opened also exhibits an unhelpful selective memory, only registering text changes and not identifying resources opened when in a second pane).

Edited November 24, 2018 by ukfraser

[Joel Brown]

I'd just like to weigh in with two comments:

 

1) 

 

 

The problem is that the library button is not just for switching modules, but also for syncing Dropbox, downloading modules, etc. If it was just for switching modules, then it would make sense to start with recently opened modules, but since it's also for five other things, the recently opened modules get in the way of users who open the library to do one of those five other things.

 

All of those other actions are immediately available in the Library, even if it is still showing the Recently Opened.

 

 

2) I agree there are some major interface inconsistencies.  We're currently doing some major work on the app, and we are definitely keeping everything in mind.

[rcdeacon]

Really looking forward to what is on the horizon!

[Brian W. Davidson]

We're currently doing some major work on the app, and we are definitely keeping everything in mind.

 

This is really exciting. For years now, my #1 wishlist item for Accordance — even more so than wanting Muraoka's LXX lexicon or any other book —is for iOS development. I am aware of at least some of the truly tragic circumstances that have slowed down the process. Just exciting to hear that "major work" is happening for iOS.

Edited November 26, 2018 by Brian W. Davidson

[jlm]

I'd just like to weigh in with two comments:

 

1) 

 

All of those other actions are immediately available in the Library, even if it is still showing the Recently Opened.

They certainly are. The problem is not before the action, but after it, where Recently Opened is an obstacle to closing the view. For example, twice today I opened the Library to sync Dropbox. When the sync finished, I could not immediately close the view: I had to first go back from Recently Opened to get the Close button.

[ukfraser]

 We're currently doing some major work on the app, and we are definitely keeping everything in mind.

Great news!

 

The interlinear you gave us far exceded my expectations, so i am really looking forward to this.

[Joel Brown]

It’s not intuitive, but as a quick workaround, you can close the library immediately with a three-finger swipe to the left. No double tap necessary.

[jlm]

It’s not intuitive, but as a quick workaround, you can close the library immediately with a three-finger swipe to the left. No double tap necessary.

Thank you, that resolves the issue for me, though I would never have guessed this solution.

 

In general, what is most important to me is better navigation history: while studying a passage, I want to seach for other (usually Biblical) texts that come to mind, but if I search for them in Accordance, I lose the location of the main passage. If there were tabs, I could search in a new tab, but I immagine that tabs are a fair amount of work to implement.

[Fabian]

I want to seach for other (usually Biblical) texts that come to mind, but if I search for them in Accordance, I lose the location of the main passage. If there were tabs, I could search in a new tab, but I immagine that tabs are a fair amount of work to implement.

Or https://www.accordancebible.com/forums/topic/23873-search-bar-in-add-parallel-menu-for-accordance-mobile/would be nice too.

 

Greetings

 

Fabian

[Fabian]

2) I agree there are some major interface inconsistencies.  We're currently doing some major work on the app, and we are definitely keeping everything in mind.

Maybe a split in an iPhone and in an iPad app like E-Sword has would be great. 

 

Greetings

 

Fabian

[ukfraser]

Maybe a split in an iPhone and in an iPad app like E-Sword has would be great.

 

Greetings

 

Fabian

Thinking about accordance staff resources, this would also lead to a split between android tablet and phones. Add macos and windows and we have a lot of work for a stretched team. Plus mobile is free (at the moment). Edited November 27, 2018 by ukfraser