0003984: The main UI (server browser) can present too much (unnecessary) information at once

MantisBT - Doomseeker

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Project

Category

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Date Submitted

Last Update

0003984

Doomseeker

public

2022-03-24 15:18

2022-05-28 14:51

Reporter

WubTheCaptain

Assigned To

Priority

none

Severity

minor

Reproducibility

sometimes

Status

new

Resolution

open

Platform

OS Version

Product Version

1.3.2

Target Version

Fixed in Version

Summary

0003984: The main UI (server browser) can present too much (unnecessary) information at once

Description

Discussion in issue 0003968's notes brought up conversation about where server details should be shown. After some thought, I think the main UI presents (at worst) too much information. I see this as an accessibility issue, particularly for new users. The UI makes me think (too much) what I need to do, even as an experienced user. Sometimes I need to read to know what a checkbox, a text field or something does, it's not a fondly memorable part of the interface. (For me, the memorable parts of the interface are: Double-clicking a server joins a server, where the "Create Game" button is located, and where the search is located.)
I don't want to see the "address" or "WADs" information presented to me immediately, or fine server details about what it's running. The server name most likely conveys that information me already.

Steps To Reproduce

Attached illustration, mimicking my common configuration and how I may feel about Doomseeker when returning to it from a hiatus. I drew it deliberately to make it more challenging for experienced users, to have a little bit of insight how a new user may see the program.
Some food for thought. Imagining using this illustrated interface (as a new user), could you...

...find (or search) for a server by name?
...find and join your Hungarian friend's server (by flag)?
...find and join your German friend's server (by flag)?
...find and join your Brazilian friend's server (by flag)?
...understand what the bars on the left represent? Can they be understood as progress indicators? What do the colors represent?
...understand what the icons left-most of the bars represent? How do you feel about them perceived as illustrated?
...navigate effortlessly to the "Create Game" dialog?
...search and limit display to all servers hosted in $country?
...describe or make use of each of the server browser columns from the illustrated information? Could you do so when allowed to read the server name?
...tell what the bottom panel says on the left?
...tell what the bottom panel says on the right?
...describe each of the checkboxes on the right from off the top of your head?
...describe each of the textboxes on the right from off the top of your head?
...describe what the numbers and "N/A" are at the bottom right corner (without the tooltip)? Is "N/A" understandable?

Additional Information

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Relationships

related to

0004005

acknowledged

Unable to search and sort servers by country flag

Attached Files

Doomseeker 1.3.2 main UI illustrated by WubTheCaptain.png (27,608) 2022-03-24 15:18
https://zandronum.com/tracker/file_download.php?file_id=2722&type=bug
png

Doomseeker reduced UI illustrated by WubTheCaptain.png (16,629) 2022-03-24 15:19
https://zandronum.com/tracker/file_download.php?file_id=2724&type=bug
png