#2249 HIGH Trial-3: Web browsing should be possible in ebook mode.

[Zarro Boogs per Child]

#2249: Web browsing should be possible in ebook mode.
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  Reporter:  cscott       |       Owner:  Eben   
      Type:  enhancement  |      Status:  new    
  Priority:  high         |   Milestone:  Trial-3
 Component:  web browser  |     Version:         
Resolution:               |    Keywords:         
  Verified:  0            |  
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Changes (by Eben):

  * type:  defect => enhancement
  * component:  distro => web browser

Comment:

 There has been an extensive spec for Handheld mode available on the wiki
 at http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Browse#Handheld_Mode.  We may need to adjust
 the details a bit, but formulating a little bit of discussion about the
 ideas presented there wouldn't hurt.

 The only key "problem" with my spec as stated is that scrolling left/right
 is slightly less discoverable than in the above proposal, though I feel
 this won't be necessary for the majority of pages.  On the other hand, my
 spec allows for a few more complex functions, such as the link-sharing
 feature.  I can certainly make concessions, though, if that needs to be
 left out for usability reasons.  We'll also need to implement
 incrementally, starting with the "press" functions and adding "hold"
 functions as timer permits.

 I fully agree with the use of hyperbolic scrolling.  We definitely need
 that in general in handheld activities since there is no way to jump
 quickly via the scrollbar.

 I also like the idea that the "select link" button in my spec could also
 be used to trigger various other forms of input elements.  Handheld mode
 is still limiting since there is no keyboard input available, but it's
 better than nothing for sure.

 The other problems should discuss include the possibility of reserving a
 certain key for the purpose of presenting a popup/overlay which outlines
 the press and hold functions of each button.  This would do a lot to make
 the mode discoverable.  The basic "press" features should be pretty much
 intuitive, but the "hold" ones might not be at first.  Of course, it's
 unfortunate that we don't have a dedicated button for this, since it's
 often the case that the controls make sense when mapped to diametrically
 opposing buttons.  This overlay could also function both as help for the
 current activity, and a way to switch among several handheld-supporting
 activities.  The design has neglected that until now, assuming that it's
 easy enough to switch back to laptop mode when switching activities.  That
 may be an invalid assumption, but again, without a dedicated button it
 could also be in the way.

 The final problem, as noted above is rotation.  Obviously the arrows can
 rotate easily, since their direction can always be interpreted relative to
 the screen.  The other buttons, which have distinct icons, can't be so
 easily swapped.  Doing so makes it hard to talk about them in
 tutorials/help/in general, since the mapping changes everything.  Do we
 rotate the controls as well?  If we have a help screen, we can at least
 remap them visually there, but I'm not sure which way is most intuitive.

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Ticket URL: <http://dev.laptop.org/ticket/2249#comment:4>
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