Plugin: Context Sensitive Main Menu

[tmiranda]

This Plugin adds interesting things on the main menu depending on the item that is highlighted (TV, Video, Music, Photos, Setup).

Configure by pressing the Options key on the Main Menu. Hopefully everything will be fairly self explanatory.

Screenshots are available from the Plugin Manager.

Please post comments and suggestions for improvement here.

Screenshots:























Tom

[mkanet]

Tom, this is GREAT! Thanks so much for all your hard work. It kind of reminds me of MS Windows Start Menu option to automatically expand pictures, documents, etc automatically.

I am hoping you would consider adding the ability to display different "Views" for each Main Menu item. You already implemented a "thumbnail view" for TV, Videos, Music, Photos as the default. Maybe you could have a "List view" where there's a list of items in text with a small respective thumbnail pic to the right of each title. I think this display method would look less "cluttered" for some people's tastes.

Personally, I think the thumbnail view is ideal for the "Photos" at least.

Anyway, just my two cents.

This plugin has GREAT potential... keep up the good work!

-Michael

[tmiranda]

Thanks Michael. I also think it would be nice to have a list view and will look into making that happen. I released this as version "0.01" on purpose, I'm definitely looking for feedback on what people are looking for.

Tom

[QueOnda]

I like it! I'm always looking what's coming up.

[QueOnda]

I set up 10 x 10 for photos and looks cool.

[tmiranda]

Two quick mockups. Let me know what you think. The formatting is off and they are still cluttered, but you'll get the idea.

Single rows: http://tmiranda.googlecode.com/files/Single.jpg

Double rows: http://tmiranda.googlecode.com/files/Double.jpg

[Bagal]

Many thanks for this plugin, I think it's a really useful addition to Sage, certainly it was something that was missing that I was used to having in MediaPortal.

Originally Posted by tmiranda

Two quick mockups. Let me know what you think. The formatting is off and they are still cluttered, but you'll get the idea.

Single rows: http://tmiranda.googlecode.com/files/Single.jpg

Double rows: http://tmiranda.googlecode.com/files/Double.jpg

Out of those two, I prefer the Double rows view however I'd probably end up sticking with the thumbnail view as I like that, but nice to have options anyway.

One thing that I think would improve the layout for me is reducing the font size slightly of the TV show description text because at the moment it's quite similar to the TV show title size and I find it difficult to separate the two, though I am using the Diamond theme which seems to emphasise the problem a bit more than the default theme.

[QueOnda]

Originally Posted by tmiranda

Two quick mockups. Let me know what you think. The formatting is off and they are still cluttered, but you'll get the idea.

Single rows: http://tmiranda.googlecode.com/files/Single.jpg

Double rows: http://tmiranda.googlecode.com/files/Double.jpg

I have no preference. Kinda like the current one now. I would love it to cycle current upcoming and Primetime of that day.

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by QueOnda

I would love it to cycle current upcoming and Primetime of that day.

I don't understand what you are looking for. Please explain.

[QueOnda]

Originally Posted by tmiranda

I don't understand what you are looking for. Please explain.

When you select tv you currently have recent recordings and upcoming recordings. would be nice to see the upcoming recordings switch out and have primetime recordings list in place then switch back to upcoming recordings.

Sometimes I care what's coming on tonight (primetime) than the oprah I'm recording for the wifey.

[mkanet]

Tom, I also prefer the double row. It's significantly better than the first release. I think you might try adding a barely noticable grid that blends with the background just to see how it looks. Once you get it uncluttered and looking just right, I can't imagine anyone not wanting to use this plugin.

I'm going to bring up a question that I'm sure you will get sooner or later; especially after you nail the formatting down just right....

Why not allow hovering over each item and make them selectable? I know that the original intent of this plugin was to provide a quick read-only preview. But, what if you could do that AND also select an item? Do you realize how valuable of an enhancement that would be if you could implement it? However, I realize that its no small task programming wise. It goes without saying there are no plugins that do that; except for the MyTV plugin (which has very limited space to display information).

I have a feeling this plugin is the only plugin with the most potential to become a "must have" plugin.

Keep up the great work!
Michael

Originally Posted by tmiranda

Two quick mockups. Let me know what you think. The formatting is off and they are still cluttered, but you'll get the idea.

Single rows: http://tmiranda.googlecode.com/files/Single.jpg

Double rows: http://tmiranda.googlecode.com/files/Double.jpg

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by QueOnda

When you select tv you currently have recent recordings and upcoming recordings. would be nice to see the upcoming recordings switch out and have primetime recordings list in place then switch back to upcoming recordings.

Sometimes I care what's coming on tonight (primetime) than the oprah I'm recording for the wifey.

Got it. I'll look to see how difficult it is.

[tmiranda]

I just posted an update that has the Single and Double Row views for TV. There is an option for "List" in the Video options but that does not do anything yet.

I made the fonts smaller as well as some other visual enhancements. It's still not perfect, but it's improving. Aesthetics is not my strong suit so comments on how to make it look better are welcome.

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by mkanet

Why not allow hovering over each item and make them selectable? I know that the original intent of this plugin was to provide a quick read-only preview. But, what if you could do that AND also select an item?

Michael,

This will probably be out of the scope of this Plugin. What you're suggesting would probably mean a rewrite of the Main Menu and I'm not up for that right now

[bastafidli]

Thank you for this plugin. I absolutely love it, especially the weather available so easily. Quick question, how are the items shown under Photos and Music chosen?

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by bastafidli

Quick question, how are the items shown under Photos and Music chosen?

Totally randomly. (It uses java.lang.Random.nextInt()).

[Skirge01]

Purely out of curiosity, is there a reason you didn't post this in the V7 Customizations forum?

[tmiranda]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

Purely out of curiosity, is there a reason you didn't post this in the V7 Customizations forum?

I thought I did?

[Skirge01]

LOL! I checked twice before I posted and it definitely was in the regular customizations forum. Looks like someone fixed it for you.

BTW... looking forward to checking out the screenshots when I get home. I think they should be in here, too, though.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

LOL! I checked twice before I posted and it definitely was in the regular customizations forum. Looks like someone fixed it for you.

Yeah, I get my amusement where I can -- I silently moved the topic after your post pointing out its location.

- Andy