Sleuth Home - Message Boards - Sleuth Talk

Mar-16-2005 20:18

Really, I have, but I still miss my sidebar! Anyone else wishing the handy little thing would be gifted back to us? Especially with all the traveling, trying to keep track of what is where, it would make it so much nicer.

*gets down on her knees, folds her hands, and looks up pleadingly*

Ben, please, I'm begging you, will you at least consider bringing it back?

Mar-25-2005 02:46

So there, problem solved. :)

Mar-25-2005 02:56

As a time saver to Ben, for now he could do this. Having tiny little links.

For instance for NYC.
BRB FTT
BNK WTR
TLR BAR
SHM PST

This would take up as much space as I wrote it above. And still indicating all PE places, and non-PE places.

Then forget about the detective shop, and real estate.

Technically there would even be space for it in the area above the tabs (HQ, city hall etc), next to the sleuth logo.

Or another very simple solution. Which would make the side bar almost optional, without Ben having to create something that puts in rules. Have another page, where the map is not present, but the side bar is. The situation gets really interesting now, as someone on a dial up, would not use the map page, but the side bar page.

Mar-25-2005 04:02

No think you for tiny icons or tiny anything. When I play at home with my Mac and 52K dialup, the images are still too small - remember the flap when Ben redid the page, and some of us could barely see the fonts. I've been able to get the text bigger by adjusting my browser but the images are still the same size. Interestingly not a problem on my PC at work, though there are other problems there (like it being work...)

Anyway, please think of the visually impaired as well as the connection impaired - I think its ok now.

Mar-25-2005 07:50

Thanks for coming to my rescue Nikkie, but I don't mind petitions. Whatever feedback you guys want to give me is good, I do read most of it, even if I often don't chime in on certain issues.

I think we could do a sidebar (actually, I always though of it as a map legend) without much effect on performance. I would probably use the same images that are already on the map, so I would not be adding to the total number of file downloads. However, the javascript for doing mouseovers might be a little slower (3 swaps per rollover instead of 2).

My biggest concern is the varying layout issue, but I'll play around with it when i have time. I still have some other priorities though right now though.

Mar-25-2005 13:53

I like the idea of an "optional sidebar"! Great thinking!


Thanks to all who voted in the SHHL poll! For Ben, here are the results:

1. Sidebar: 44 votes - 81%
2. No sidebar: 10 votes - 19%


Thanks again to all who voted...



*hopes that convinces Ben*

Mar-25-2005 15:07

Ben, you could consider for the bar not to not have mouseover. The mouseovers are there on the map. And the picture of "feet" or "shoes" leave little up to the imagination as to whom you are visiting. :)

I too am a bit concerned with lay out. Suppose that takes a bit of expirementing. Unless the map got bigger up on taking the bar out. The most convenient place would still be next to the map, it fit prior to the change. If I can recall correctly it did not mess with the display of the suspect list. If it would, then the only place I can think of, is underneath the suspect list. There is still a gap underneath the suspect list (even on impossible), and the end of the map.

Adding an additional page, and it then not going on the map page. I think is definitely an option too. Just your list of suspects, and the icons. Saves loading of the entire map. Sure....it is less pretty. That is a sure thing.

Another would be sticking it on the case file page. This gives everything at a glance in that case. The suspects, the evidence, the townspeople. Also here lay out could be a problem.

Or....you could stick it everywhere? :)

Mar-25-2005 17:38

For those who don't know, there used to be a 'sidebar' of shop icons down the left-hand side of the map, back when there was only a single city in the game.

So you could click on the sidebar icons, OR the icons on the map, to go to a shop....

Mar-25-2005 18:03

I must admit that I really liked the sidebar and would be grateful for it's return

Mar-26-2005 00:13

Not really a priority for me. I got used to how it is now.

Mar-26-2005 12:39

Those who do not know what the sidebar is...play the tutorial!