RF Generation Message Board

Hello again all.

Since the feedback was so helpful the last time I asked, I was hoping again to tap into the collective on a Mobile version of my website.

The purpose of this edition would be to serve as a pocket console reference guide.  I am not using any java at all within the mobile version nor am opening any links in a new window\tab to ensure ease of navigation and low data\battery drain.  Large buttons are utilized to ensure that it is easy to navigate.   I am thinking I will add a very light gray color to the inside container of the console buttons to break up the white a bit.  The test pages....

The following page would be the main introduction and interface.  Clicking a tab would display the consoles for the respective decade.
http://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com/temp-m-index.htm

The Bally Professional Arcade (located under the 1970s tab) is my test console page.  The link is coded, but here is the direct web page:
http://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com/temp-m-pg70-bally.htm

Access to this Mobile site would be located somewhere in the header of each page on my main website (I am not planning on using auto-detection to redirect visitors based on screen res).  My questions:

o Does the information display properly?
o Is the interface easy to navigate?
o Are the fonts used large enough and easy to read?
o Is the design intuitive?
o Would you recommend adding any more information to the console page?
o Are there any other suggestions to improve the overall design\navigation\functionality?
o What phone\device\browser are you using to test the pages?

For comparison sake, I have attached some compressed pictures of how I would like VGCL Mobile to display for the end user. 

As always, candid comments are always appreciated.  Thanks in advance all!!

Terry

I'll be sure to give this a look when I get home tonight. The idea seems really great.

Thanks Duke for checking it out.  Looking forward to your thoughts.

Loaded it up on my phone so I'll try to answer your questions best I can:

o Does the information display properly?

A: Yes

o Is the interface easy to navigate?

A:Very much so

o Are the fonts used large enough and easy to read?

A:Absolutely. I've been to several other mobile versions of my favorite sites and nearly always have to zoom in/out to find a readable/navigable size. You seem to have found a nice way to present things so that I can read the information easily and dont have to mess around with the screen too much to find links and additional info.

o Is the design intuitive?

A: I'm still very new and inexperienced with these kinds of devices and it seemed very obvious to me. I'd say its pretty great.

o Would you recommend adding any more information to the console page?

A:I can understand the idea of keeping it short and sweet for what most people will probably use your site for on a mobile device. Just make sure that if I need some extra info to make it easy and obvious to get to.

o Are there any other suggestions to improve the overall design\navigation\functionality?

Like I mentioned above, I'm still new to mobile devices. I found the pages to be attractive, well suited for a quick overview of the console, and easy to read and navigate. Nothing jumps out at me as "missing" right off the bat. I'll be sure to let you know if I think of something though.

I love how you have a button for accessing the full site.  Sometimes its nice to be able to view the full site on the go.  I like the design of the mobile site as well.

Thanks for the great feedback Crab!  A suggestion from one of my team members I believe reflects one of your comments:

"Just make sure that if I need some extra info to make it easy and obvious to get to."

Currently, the "View Full Website" just sends you to the main front page.  I think you may also be suggesting a button link be provided to go to the individual page for a particular console.

Let me know if this is accurate.

Thanks again!

Terry

Thanks bl!  Though not a programming guru, I tried to incorporate the suggestions from various internet sources to ensure that it is easy to navigate (i.e. don't let users scroll to a dead end, use buttons and not text links, etc.) while not taxing on bandwidth nor battery life of the mobile device.

Thanks bl for your thoughts!

Terry

Based on the responses, I am adding a questions regarding the device being used to my initial inquiry.

I am using a Motorola Droid Bionic.  As for its web browser, I use Dolphin.

Yeah I was referring to a link that would give me the full run down on the console that I am currently viewing. Its really bothersome on a couple other sites I look at on my phone when I click full site and it bumps me back to the mainpage and out of whatever I was browsing at the time. That feature would be awesome.

The device I was on was a Samsung Galaxy w I think its called.

OK, I just tried it on my iPhone 3GS (I'll have a 4 in a week or so and can test again if necessary)

 Does the information display properly?

A: Yes, but I had to zoom in to get the page to be readable. It would be nice if it started at the width of the text box, but I have no idea if that is possible.

o Is the interface easy to navigate?

A: Yes, it seems really easy.

o Are the fonts used large enough and easy to read?

A: Once I zoomed the page to the proper width, everything was easy to read.

o Is the design intuitive?

A: Again, besides needing to zoom in each time, it made good sense to me.

o Would you recommend adding any more information to the console page?

A: It seems to cover the basics well enough. How about a rarity rating?

o Are there any other suggestions to improve the overall design\navigation\functionality?

A: Nothing that I can think of at the moment. Great job Terry!

Duke - I am not sure what the "text box" is that I should target in changing the resolution of the page.  The page is currently set to display in percentages (images/table width).  My goal is to not have to make the user zoom at all (not sure if this is possible or not).  Can you provide a screen shot or elaborate so that I can modify to ensure easy navigation with out the need to perform any zooming?

Thanks Duke!

Terry

Here is what it looks like when I load the page (using Chrome):
[img width=320 height=480]http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af356/jackcrow2000/file-21.jpg[/img]

Thanks Duke for the SS.  I am not sure why it is not stretching to fit the horizontal screen res.  Maybe if I remove the BG image and change it to a basic black color it might correctly fill the real estate without having to accommodate the BG image.  Just a thought - not sure if that is the reason all.

Any one else have any ideas on this?

Terry