Friday, 25 May 2012

Making the training module more intuitive

An intuitive user interface always has been a top priority since the very first version of Chess Position Trainer. Now, with version 4 I received a conspicuous amount of questions and requests about the training module.

During beta phase I already tried to improve the training module, but the two main topics still remained:

Many users were confused with the different training modes. In particular why there was no position to train although it seemed to them there are more positions.

The other frequent complain (especially by former CPT 3 users) was about the restriction of the recall mode as it is not possible to play complete lines in any of these two recall modes.

The good news: I’m confident that both issues are solved to your satisfaction with the next release.

Let’s have a look at the current ribbon of the training module:

Training ribbon before

And now, let’s see what it looks like with the next version:

Training ribbon after

You can notice several differences. The program differentiates between four position types for training. “Only New” is… well, “new” J “Recall” replaces “Oldest first” and works very similar.

A new ribbon page called “Training Positions” is introduced. This one defines which type of positions you want to train. Positions, which are scheduled for recall? Only “new” positions, which you have never trained before? Do you want to recall any position or even try the photo reading methodology?

Hopefully this makes it clearer that you have to choose between new positions and positions to recall.

Next you can choose the mode to play complete variations or to use the filter (jumping right to the next new position or position to recall). Please note that you can finally combine these two modes with the normal “Recalls”, but also for scheduled recalls (yes, some of you have been wanting this for a long time already – sorry for being such a stubborn person)!

The only last limitation: the scheduled recall won’t work with “Current Position” and if you choose the “Complete Line” mode the program will train you only in the variation leading to the position it wants you to recall, but no further. That’s for practical reasons only. “Recall” has not such limitations.

Oh, last, but not least the Start and Stop button have been moved to the first place.

I’m not yet sure whether the ribbon page should be called “Training Positions” or “Mode” (or do you have another suggestion?). If the latter is the case the current “Mode” page needs a new name.

If you have any suggestions about parts of the program which could be more intuitive in your opinion (think back the first time you used the program: what made you struggle?), please let me know!

The next version will have more improvements than the training module. More on this in another post.

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Comments (5)

  • Signalman
    27 May 2012 at 12:31 |
    Signalman

    Looks good !

    Mode is a good enough description of teh option.

    Do you have an expected release date ?

  • giosy
    28 May 2012 at 19:20 |
    giosy

    "Training Mode" is more intuitive and is related to the description in the manual.

  • Alvaro Frota
    04 June 2012 at 18:00 |
    Alvaro Frota

    Olá Stefan!

    I agree with Giosy that "Training Mode" is better than "Mode".

    And I think that "photo reading" is a "Training Mode" and not a "Training Position" and is placed in the wrong Ribbon Page.

    Aquele abraço!

    Álvaro Frota

  • Wulf Behrend
    11 July 2012 at 11:10 |
    Wulf Behrend

    Great, that was exactly what I was waiting for.
    When will it be released?
    Regards, Wulf

  • Stefan Renzewitz
    11 July 2012 at 20:56 |
    Stefan Renzewitz

    Scheduled for next weekend.

    Stefan

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