[LAD] User eXperience in Linux Audio

[Len Ovens]

On Fri, 24 Apr 2015, Thorsten Wilms wrote:

> I think in many cases, horizontal sliders with labels and numerical values 
> inside the slider area, are the better approach.

Like knobs, sliders can be done right or wrong too. Pick up a handy 
android device for examples of wrong. (In audio applications) I think it 
is the available ways of doing things on the android because even 
applications made by a company that also does a pc version, the android 
version is not as good.

In my opinion the best slider will allow the pointing device (finger or 
mouse) to be placed anywhere on the slider and moving the mouse will move 
the value from where it was in the direction the finger moves. (Ardour 
fader for example, but lots get this right)

The next best (best that can be done on android it seems) is that the 
value will not move untill you pass the current value.

The third best the value will not move unless the mouse or finger first 
touches at the current value.

Fourth best is having the value jump to where you first put the mouse or 
finger.

The worst one looks like second best... That is putting the mouse on the 
slider has no effect untill getting to the current value... but because 
the slider control "looks like" a real fader knob, the value first jumps 
in the oposite direction the mouse/finger is moving as soon as the 
mouse/finger touches the graphic of the fader knob rather than waiting 
till the finger is at the middle of the fader knob. This one is useless.

While horizontal faders can use less space (Ardour plugins use this) it 
becomes less "stage usable" real quick.

In the end, for stage a hardware controller seems the best.

--
Len Ovens
www.ovenwerks.net