Re: a possible UI construction application
- From: "The Elf" <inthaneelf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 3 May 2009 23:46:07 -0700
sorry, its got a URL on it and a copy of a web page, it shouldn't do that. if
you get there within 15 minutes its still obtainable:
www.giveawayoftheday.com
apologies,
inthane
proprietor, The Grab Bag,
for blind computer users and programmers
http://grabbag.alacorncomputer.com
Owner: Alacorn Computer Enterprises
"own the might and majesty of a Alacorn!"
www.alacorncomputer.com
Owner: Agemtree
"merchants in fine facetted and cabochon gemstones"
www.agemtree.com
----- Original Message -----
From: tribble
To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, May 03, 2009 4:06 PM
Subject: Re: a possible UI construction application
hey there inthane -- your mail crashes my copy of jaws. I have tried to read
it 4 times and each time I read down a few lines and all goes silent. Is
anyone else having this problem?
Thanks.
--le
----- Original Message -----
From: The Elf
To: programming-blind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, May 03, 2009 11:05 AM
Subject: a possible UI construction application
hello folks,
I have no idea if this application is actually useable by us, but when I
saw it on the give away of the day site, I immediately thought of all the times
we have discussed the troubles with creating UI's here so thought I would let
you know about it, I'm putting the details below, then going to get some coffee
(its 9:02 here)
I will probably install it and give it look later, but other more capable
programmers may wish to look as well to pick up on things I will undoubtedly
miss.
the elf
* from:
www.giveawayoftheday
Giveaway of the Day - ForeUI
May 3, 2009
ForeUI is an easy-to-use screen mockup tool which can rapidly create the UI
prototypes of your applications. It provides many common UI elements and you
can build your mockup with just drag and drop. Various UI themes are available
for mockups; you can perform the UI prototyping with Wireframe, Windows XP or
Mac OS X UI theme. Also you can turn on the rumple effect to make your
prototype more like a "Design on Paper".
User Rating: Rate It! a.. 167 (52%)
b.. 153 (48%)
39 comments
System Requirements: Windows
Publisher: EASYNTH.COM
Homepage: http://www.foreui.com/
File Size: 17.6 MB
Price: The program is available for $79, but it will be free for our
visitors as a time-limited offer.
Download ForeUI now
Mirror link #1
Unzip the package you've downloaded, and carefully read the instructions
which you can find in the readme.txt file. This readme.txt file is included
with all our downloads. Follow the instructions carefully to install and
activate the software.
ForeUI is available as a Giveaway of the day! You have 15 hours 7 minutes
to download and install it.
Giveaway of the day is adware/spyware-free. If you want to check that
yourself and keep your system healthy, we recommend Advanced SystemCare package.
Pro and Free versions are available.
Download or learn more
Terms and conditions
Please note that the software you download and install during the Giveaway
period comes with the following important limitations:
1.. No free technical support
2.. No free upgrades to future versions
3.. Strictly personal usage
THIS SOFTWARE PRODUCT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,
EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. WITHOUT LIMITATION, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWABLE
BY LAW, END USER ASSUMES THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE OF
THE DOWNLOADED SOFTWARE PRODUCT.
More Titles by EASYNTH.COM
EaSynth Look And Feel Designer
EaSynth Look And Feel Designer it is a tool to develop Java look and feel.
39 Comments »
1.. Today's giveaway is a blast.
Not very useful, but its kinda stylish.
Installation and activation works fine, thumb up!
I was using the 3DNA Desktop before:
http://www.pcfreunde.de/download/d1722/3dna-desktop/43638-bRZc4508b2/
Its a stylish tool too, dont know which I should choose now, I can only
use one of them :/
Comment by Casi - May 3rd, 2009 at 3:17 am
Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (
-7
)
2.. Installed fine on vista. looks very interesting for development
mockups or demos..
thanks
Comment by Steve - May 3rd, 2009 at 3:40 am
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-7
)
3.. The Good
* Clean interface - easy to understand and easy to use.
* Allows you to add lists, menus, windows, images, buttons, etc. to your
UI mockup.
* Allows you to annotate your UI mockup.
* Each UI element is customizable.
* Has a nice grid system to help line up your elements.
* You can change between Wired, Windows and OS X themes.
The Bad
* You can only export your mockup as a .PNG image.
* Fairly resource intensive.
* Only has the "traditional" UI elements.
* You must drag + drop elements - no select and create.
Registration and installation
Went fine
For final verdict, full review and recommendations please click here.
Comment by Ashraf - May 3rd, 2009 at 3:44 am
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+48
)
4.. #3, your link returns 404
Comment by kasimcev - May 3rd, 2009 at 4:01 am
Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (
-22
)
5.. I posted several games to make up for the lack of a game giveaway
yesterday, unfortunatel my comment posted around an hour after the giveaway
change over wasn't accepted, so I thought I'd try posting it again today.
There's been over 30 games posted since Monday last and include Platform Games,
RPG's, Puzzles, Space Shooters, FPS, Sports, Racing games plus a few others.
You can find all of these in the games discussion forums under Week 33. The
first link is to yesterdays games which I posted to make up for the lack of a
game giveaway and the second link is to the games discussion forums. As there
is no gamtoday as wll, I may post some more games later today.
Go to yesterdays free games
Go to the Games discussion forums
Comment by Whiterabbit aka Stephen - May 3rd, 2009 at 4:20 am
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+28
)
6.. Ashraf, the link you provided for your review is giving a 404 Not
Found error.
Comment by Kickapoodle - May 3rd, 2009 at 4:22 am
Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (
-11
)
7.. This offering looks great for web development and those who want to
learn about how it's done. Set up is fast and easy; Ashraf whizzed through it
so fast he forgot to link himself!
Comment by Emrys - May 3rd, 2009 at 4:36 am
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-8
)
8.. Has anybody been able to watch the 3 minute video on their website?
I just get a blank screen.
Comment by Spikey - May 3rd, 2009 at 4:37 am
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-6
)
9.. As a UX expert, I'm always on the lookout for tools such as this one.
I have tried most of the existing tools, both proprietary and free/open
source.
This one sits right in the middle in terms of functionality and
usefulness.
The good:
The user interface is fairly self explanatory and the learning curve
should be realy short for anyone who has ever tried any of those tools (like
Visio).
The "final product" (screens, UI elements) you design looks clean and
sleek.
It's very easy to quickly create and change UI designs with this program.
I like the "don't pick your hand off the mouse" attitude, although
keyboard enthusiasts may dissagree.
Much cheaper than most proprietary software.
The bad
Cannot create any "interactions" (for creating a working demo).
Only design one screen at a time, no existing tool for planning a flow of
several screens.
Number of "widgets" is small and i didn't find any method of creating
your own.
conclusion:
If you are in the business of UI planning and designing, you better buy
one the following, very expensive, programs: Axure RP, GUI Desing Studio,
Visio, Smart Draw.
none of the free or open source competitors actualy match up
unfortunately.
If you're just starting up, or have only some minor UI planning to do,
download this one, or buy it if you missed the giveaway. it's not too expensive.
Free alternatives for this one include Denim, Balsamic Mockups and the
FireFox add-on- Pencil.
you could also use Power Point (or open office Show) to create some
simple wireframes, including some interactions.
Good Luck!
Comment by fatmonkey - May 3rd, 2009 at 4:37 am
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+52
)
10.. Can someone explain what this tool is for?
I have no idea.
Thanks.
Comment by Umit - May 3rd, 2009 at 4:49 am
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-15
)
11.. How to use a userinteface without programcode. I'm sure this won't
work at all.
Comment by BrainGel - May 3rd, 2009 at 4:50 am
Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (
-32
)
12.. Sorry to sound so dumb, but what is UI? Is it User Interface? Where
could I utilize this application - on a website? Where else?
Thanks, Dye
Comment by Dianne Atkins - May 3rd, 2009 at 5:02 am
Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (
-15
)
13.. I tried multiple attempts to install this on Vista Home Prem.
64-bit. It says the requirement is "Windows," but it is definitely incompatible
on my machine. Here are some freeware alternatives, and a comprehensive list of
alternatives is on the review page below.
* Balsamiq Mockups- http://www.balsamiq.com/products/mockups
* Pencil Project- http://www.evolus.vn/Pencil
* Denim- http://dub.washington.edu:2007/denim/
Comprehensive Alternative List
Comment by Justin C - May 3rd, 2009 at 5:10 am
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+11
)
14.. Ashraf's link is working now
Comment by Jamus - May 3rd, 2009 at 5:37 am
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-3
)
15.. First I can't see any "strictly personal" scenario for the usage of
this software. It targets non-technical team stuff in software development
projects.
Technical team members would rather use GUI-builders built inside their
IDEs to design disfunctional prototypes or previews of their applications as
they can add functionality later to those prototypes designed with a GUI
builder which is not possible with Fore-UI. So what's missing most is a feature
to export the UI designed with Fore-UI directly to (let's say) Visual Studio as
a codeless initialization of a VS-project.
For the professional users, I think that Vista styles are missing.
Altough I personally prefer XP to Vista, this is an important feature for
prototype designers, working on a professional basis. Just to show that they
are up to date.
This is my opinion in general about this application.
If today was christmas and I'd be asked for a wish concerning Fore-UI I
would say ask for two things:
1. I wish you could add some basic or demonstrational functionality to
the designed UIs by means of a scripting language in an expert mode.
2. I'd like if Fore-UI was capable of designing stylish non standard UIs
with shaped forms and controls.
shaped
Comment by master yoda - May 3rd, 2009 at 5:39 am
Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (
+4
)
16.. Hi all,
Sorry to be negative, but if anyone has to ask what this is for, then it
simply ain't any use to you.
I have a pretty clear idea what it is and it is of no use to me at all,
so I will give todays offering a miss. as should you.
Don't worry there will be another giveaway tomorrow.
Happy Hols, all.
Comment by Terry - May 3rd, 2009 at 5:43 am
Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (
-14
)
17.. I searched the web for this application this morning & couldn't find
a trace at any download sites like Softpedia or CNet. In fact other then here &
the publishers website, nothing at all.
I guess a lot of us are missing something today, like what exactly would
I use this for that makes it worth installing? Maybe Sunday was a bad day to
offer this give away. It sure seems to me like this is one that publisher input
would be helpful.
I'm clueless as to why I should install this. How can this possibly be
useful to the average PC user? UI (user interface) design for somebody writing
software code? Sorry, I'm nowhere near that talented so I guess that until
someone comes up with more info on it, I'll have to pass. I'm not into beta
testing!
Comment by Charles K - May 3rd, 2009 at 6:08 am
Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (
-8
)
18.. GAOTD has once again outdone themselves. There's no need for any
drawn out highly subjective opinions highlighting the "good", the "bad", and
the "verdict" with this application. Short, sweet, and simple; this is very
good design tool or to be more accurate, screen mockup tool that is
surprisingly easy-to-use, as I've discovered in the short time since it was put
up. This program has the look and feel of a well thought out program that's a
great addition to anyone's personal software library. Get it, and you won't
regret it.
Comment by Renegade - May 3rd, 2009 at 6:14 am
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+7
)
19.. Someone mentioned Balsamiq Mockups as a "free alternative", but it
is not free actually.
Such kind of softwares are used to design the UI (user interface) of
applications, some of them provide only wireframe design (like Visio,
CoreDraw); some of them provide final visual simulation (like Axure, Mockup
Screens, GUI Design Studio and this one); some of them even provide the
interactive simulation (like Axure, iRise).
Comment by Anthony - May 3rd, 2009 at 6:17 am
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+4
)
20.. For the users asking, "what is this software for?" - it is intended
as a tool to create visual prototype. You do not build a working program from
ForeUI - but you can design and refine what the screens would look like. (This
applies if you are developing web pages too)
It is also a tool you could give to a user and have them draw what they
are thinking of - and the mockup screens can go back and forth while the design
is refined until all the parties involved can see what is proposed and some
level of agreement can be reached.
Just like software - car makers design a new model of a vehicle also
using drawings before progressing to clay models and an actual prototype. A
building architect uses drawings and blueprints before constructing a model and
getting approval to start on the actual building.
Software and web developers would use a tool like this to easily design
representative screens to demonstrate to a client what the eventual
software/site would look like.
-
For a version 1 release this software has a nice feel to it. I have a new
project starting this month - and I'll definitely be trying ForeUI out.
Comment by BuBBy - May 3rd, 2009 at 6:35 am
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+32
)
21.. This program is mainly only useful for programmers to design their
screens, before hitting the main development environment. However, most
programming environments have their own design interface you can use to build
up screens, take a snapshot with, etc.
"Whats this program for?" Here's a quick 3 min demo:
http://www.foreui.com/demos/demo1/
As this is only useful for programmers, I'd recommend downloading one of
Microsofts 'Express' development environments (which are free) such as
Microsoft Visual Basic 2008 Express. You can design your user interface quickly
and easily (using multiple screens, rather than just one screen here) and
create simply code to display the forms. This gives a more "heres what happens
when you click this button" demo, rather than static screenshots that this
program provides.
Not a programmer? Than sadly this program is useless to you. Not just a
"Oh, well maybe I can play with it anyway" useless, but totally useless.
Comment by Chris Locke - May 3rd, 2009 at 7:02 am
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+6
)
22.. For the less-than-inventive among you who can't see what use this
would be, consider this:
You are wanting a program that's in development to do certain things and
you don't find it easy to describe to the programmer or project manager what
you want - so you decide a picture is worth a thousand words.
You make a mock-up of what you're thinking and send it off to them.
Ah haaa, now they get it!
And this doesn't need to be a commercial activity; you may just want to
influence what a program does. Have you never contributed to an idea?
Comment by Phaedron - May 3rd, 2009 at 7:23 am
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+4
)
23.. I didn't see the "rumple effect". I'd rather pay for Balsamiq than
use this.
Comment by David White - May 3rd, 2009 at 7:34 am
Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (
-12
)
24.. I was amused that so many people gave Ashraf's "review" a thumbs-up
while it was completely unavailable. BTW, Ashraf, you can "un-pin" the options
window for the elements and it will go largely transparent when not in use.
Some people like this, but personally, I can't see any value for this
type of software since the very early 90's. It's simply not capable of
simulating many UI elements and features, and isn't well-structured for
hardware/software environment differences. Even non-programmers can be trained
to use simple GUI builders in development tools, without much more effort than
learning these types of tools. There are other options, such as simply working
with a programmer to whip out some initial UI design. I regard these types of
tools as being antithetical to good software design and development practices.
Comment by Fubar - May 3rd, 2009 at 7:34 am
Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (
+3
)
25.. I forgot to mention, there's some very strange stuff in ForeUI's
installation; stuff related to random, particular geographical locations, or
some programmer with a warped sense of humor.
Comment by Fubar - May 3rd, 2009 at 7:41 am
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0
)
26.. nice program! installs, registers and runs on vista home prem
32-bit. nice ui. easy to use.
works for me. Thumbs up!
thanks gaotd!
Comment by John - May 3rd, 2009 at 7:46 am
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-2
)
27.. This i sa great programmers tool for Screen Design.
Comment by 247 profits - May 3rd, 2009 at 8:01 am
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0
)
28.. OK, regarding my comment #24, ForeUI is making a local copy of
Java's time zone information, so there are exceptions for various localities. I
don't use Java, but making a local copy seems like a bad idea since it will
need to be updated.
Comment by Fubar - May 3rd, 2009 at 8:13 am
Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (
-2
)
29.. I understand this software as it will help you design special things
on your web pages ex. "login place". I do not know if you can use it to make
design for programs or even new "quik start" to your programs, but I could
immagine it have this possibilities to.
I giving this at try, it is sound interesting.
Thanks GAOTD, EASYNTH and for all the comment :o)
Comment by Peter - May 3rd, 2009 at 8:24 am
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0
)
30.. This is a useless program to me, but may be great for others, thanks
GAOTD, for what you do. I'm still waiting for a program that picks winning
lotto numbers in advance..( I guess I'm hard to please, but keep trying!)
Comment by lyn - May 3rd, 2009 at 8:25 am
Did you find this comment useful? yes | no (
-1
)
31.. I could not install this software in Windows Vista (32 bit). I get
an error message that the setup program encountered an error trying to rename a
certain file. Odd, since there was no such file there previously in the folder
that was newly created by the installer!
I don't need something like this if if can't get the installation correct
in the first place. I guess I'll stick with SmartDraw.
Comment by Donald - May 3rd, 2009 at 8:32 am
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0
)
32.. Great stuff. Two thumbs up.
Comment by Anders - May 3rd, 2009 at 9:05 am
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0
)
33.. #24: maybe the the strange geographical locations are not that
random, but related to some kind of botnet?
Comment by Braingel - May 3rd, 2009 at 9:35 am
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0
)
34.. This is pointless software.
It needs to be able to export something useful:
xml
html
RC data statements
VB code
C# code
something!
Comment by Bill Gates - May 3rd, 2009 at 9:40 am
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0
)
35.. All resources and an XML representation of your 'Plot' can be
extracted from the .4ui file by renaming to .zip
Comment by TonyW - May 3rd, 2009 at 9:59 am
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0
)
36.. How do you activate this software.
Comment by Acudoc - May 3rd, 2009 at 10:02 am
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0
)
37.. Simple UI.
Install ok,
Does what it says.
The purpose of it is to make a UI, send to client, the client then
annotate what needs to be changed and so forth until you get what they want.
I don't see any possible personal use for this.
To the developers:
In the case of application development, this is double work. Why create
an user interface in an application that cannot export code or a resource
script? If you can add that, your application value will greatly increment.
Comment by rxantos - May 3rd, 2009 at 10:16 am
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0
)
38.. Downloaded,installed and activated on Windows XP 2003 server x64bit
edition..no problems.
i have been trying to make some UI projects lately, and this seems like
it will help.
Thanx to GAOTD and EASTNTH.
as i usally interface my comments solely with the product,
However,i have to say Thanx to #20 BuBBy
for answering the question from #10 Umit, in a polite manner, UNLIKE #16
TERRY, who i think is being very RUDE.
"Sorry to be negative".Then don't be!
"I have a pretty clear idea what it is".Well everyone is not as brillient
as you!
"Don't worry there will be another giveaway tomorrow"..well thats just
being a JERK,captain obvious!
i think folks look to this comment section for some insight on the
product, and to learn from others, and don't need to be ridaculed in the
process.
Comment by TC - May 3rd, 2009 at 10:38 am
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0
)
39.. Has anybody installed this using an install monitor? I'd really like
to get some idea what it does to or adds to a Vista operating systems registry.
Since it's something that I personally doubt I'll use anytime soon, I
won't be installing this on my new PC until that questions been cleared up a
little.
I appreciate the offer but I'm not into beta testing on this PC.
Comment by ww2vet56 - May 3rd, 2009 at 11:07 am
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0
)
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proprietor, The Grab Bag,
for blind computer users and programmers
http://grabbag.alacorncomputer.com
Owner: Alacorn Computer Enterprises
"own the might and majesty of a Alacorn!"
www.alacorncomputer.com
Owner: Agemtree
"merchants in fine facetted and cabochon gemstones"
www.agemtree.com
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