GPSSppc button menus - simpler user interface needed ?

This page is for those helping us improve GPSSppc, introduced on the Pocket PC page. Those who have helped with beta testing are here and the latest version of GPSSppc is on the beta test page. Please visit the Forum for detailed discussion on this subject of a "new GPSSppc user interface".

On the right you see an illustration of the menu system that has evolved since GPSSppc was started last year. We are trying to make it even simpler to use.

Our goal is for someone who has never used ANY GPS system to pick it up and start doing something useful with it immediately. e.g. they have just been given a Mio with their rental car, picked up at the airport, and want to be guided to the hotel. The process of him or her discovering the more complicated features needs to be as simple as possible. This will probably be done by "playing with" the product when they have some time free.

You may want to visit the brief use manual page, for things like the names given to buttons. e.g. "MENU", "WHAT", "FIND" etc.

We already have a flexible "help" system, under the [?] button, that can be configured by the solution provider, to show pictures, play sounds and explain how to use each of the buttons.

Some buttons are self-evident, like the [?] button for help, or the "maintenance" button, that is clearly for doing technical things. But some buttons could be improved. The less text we have the better: text has to be translated into other languages by someone, including Japanese, Chinese and Russian ! :-)

I look forward to hearing your ideas, direct by email, or on the Forum.

footnote from Robin on 10th July:

here is an idea for a new "map control" page of buttons. These will include the old [Zoom in] and [zoom out] buttons, but will also enable the user to select what controls the moving map. From left to right, after the [help] button, we have:

• [MapGPS] - the map follows the GPS (car) position.
• [MapGPSDES] - map covers both GPS and destination.
• [MapDES] - map follows the destination.
• [MapFIND] - map follows the "find spot" position.