BibSonomy gets a new front-end

We're currently working hard on a new user interface for BibSonomy. In the past, we've had lots of hints on how to optimize the layout, accessibility, and usability. We're scientists and programmers but we aren't product designers or experts of human computer interaction. So we've decided to use a framework that helps us to implement all these necessary improvements.

There are lots of front-end frameworks out there. We’ve chosen Bootstrap for the following reasons:

1. Bootstrap is open source and freely available
2. It supports responsive web design. It is very hard for a community of an open source project to develop and maintain two front-ends. With Bootstrap we develop code once-only and it works for computer screens, tablets (like the iPad), and smartphones
3. Bootstrap is widely used. The look and feel of all elements is familiar. 
4. And of course, it looks great ☺

The aim of a new front-end is to achieve an easier way to interact with BibSonomy. For this, we’ve defined a few rules, which we try to implement with the switch to Bootstrap.

1. Give  all elements room to breathe! Currently, there are too many control elements spread over areas that are too small.
2. Use larger fonts! Large fonts create larger clearness and better readability on mobile devices.
3. If possible, use existing standard elements of Bootstrap. The elements of Bootstrap are approved and established. They are tested on different devices and browsers.
4. Help the user where he/she needs help. With the last front-end redesign, we have added a lot of help and hints. Now we want to use it so it supports the user even better.
5. Keep navigation menus clear. Easier menu structures helps users to find what they are looking for.

Finally, I would like to give you some insights in the new front-end:

post list and the new user menu

Publication details page

friends overview page

Mobile view

Tablet view

View for computer screens

We hope you like what you see. More information and release dates coming soon.

Keep happy and tagging!
Sebastian

Feature of the Week: Updated mobile interface

Since its first release in May the mobile version of BibSonomy has received some smaller updates. Here they are:

• Especially on mobile devices typing and retyping user names and passwords can be tedious. Therefore , the login screen now offers a checkbox to choose staying logged in after the session.
• If you'd like to see the original BibSonomy page on your mobile screen you may use the "Switch to normal view" link in the footer of the mobile layout. Similarly, you can switch back using the "Switch to mobile view" link in the footer of the normal view.
• Your choice of view is now stored. Thus, once you decide to use the normal view, you'll see that view until you decide otherwise. You won't have to switch to your preferred view each time you visit BibSonomy.

Happy Tagging!
Stephan

Feature of the Week: Posting to BibSonomy by Gesture with Android & Dolphin Browser

Because we're still so proud of our mobile version of BibSonomy, this week's feature of the week is about how to ease the process of creating a bookmark or publication post via your Android mobile device.

Because typing lengthy texts and especially URLs is always a bit tedious on small screens and keyboards, the popular browser Dolphin HD offers the possibility of navigation by gestures. These gestures are simple figures drawn directly on the screen, which can be associated with a variety of actions. And here's a step-by-step manual how this mechanism can be used for creating new boomark of publication posts:

• After opening the Dolphin Browser, tip on the gesture icon in the lower left corner, and then on the little cogwheel in the lower right corner to create a new gesture:

• Choose "New Gesture" and select as action "Load URL" (first row) and paste the postBookmark- or postPublication-URL (see below) into the input field.
• Choose a simple and memorable gesture (I chose e.g. a "B-like" gesture to post bookmarks, and a "P-like" one to post publications).
• When you're navigating on an interesting page, just tip the gesture button in the lower right, do the corresponding gesture and you'll end up directly in the correct dialogue of BibSonomy (after logging in, of course):

Of course this is just one possibility to achieve this goal - if you have further best practices, we'd be happy to share them with you. In any case happy gesturing and tagging,

Dominik

postBookmark URL:

<br>javascript:location.href='http://www.bibsonomy.org/ShowBookmarkEntry?c=b&jump=yes&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&description='+encodeURIComponent(document.title)+'&extended='+encodeURIComponent(window.getSelection())<br>

postPublication URL:

javascript:location.href='http://www.bibsonomy.org/BibtexHandler?requTask=upload&url='+encodeURIComponent(location.href)+'&description='+encodeURIComponent(document.title)+'&selection='+encodeURIComponent(window.getSelection())

Feature of the week: BibSonomy mobile

If the BibSonomy development team can be seen as a reasonably representative sample of the technologically interested population, then smartphones are truly finding more and more their way into nowaday's everyday life (despite we still do have some "I-need-my-phone-only-to-make-phonecalls" bastions, but we're working on it :) ). If you share our enthusiasm about the possibilities offered by e.g. the iPhone or Android-powered devices, then we've got something for you: Since our last release, we're featuring a mobile-optimized version of BibSonomy. Check it out:

You don't need any special app - just point the browser of your mobile phone to the "usual" BibSonomy URLs (e.g. http://www.bibsonomy.org), and we'll detect automatically where you're coming from (technical sidenote: we use WURFL for that) and provide you with a BibSonomy website optimized for smartphones. It was built focussed on the following design principles:

• Minimal amount of data transfer in order to speed up loading times and save bandwidth
• Reduction of interface elements to ensure usability on small (touch-)screens
• Similar navigation paradigm to mobile versions of other major websites
• Restriction to required information when posting new entries (e.g. via ISBN) - completion of the entries then be done e.g. later on a desktop machine

Here's an explanation of the basic interface elements:

When navigating through these pages, it may happen from time to time that you end up seing a "normal" page - this can happen because so far, we've only migrated our most popular pages to the mobile version. We're still working on that, and are happy to receive feedback and suggestions which pages should be available next!

In any case enjoy BibSonomy from anywhere using our new mobile pages!

Dominik

PS: Thanks Folke for a great fotoshooting session ;-)

Feature of the Week: BibSonomy and Ubiquitous Barcode Posts

The issue of this week introduces a feature that is especially helpful for users of BibSonomy who often use mobile devices. Then, it is often the case that an interesting book (with a barcode) needs to be bookmarked. Using an appropriate barcode scanner application, this step can be conveniently (semi-)automated, for a more 'ubiquitous' BibSonomy experience!

Below, we will demonstrate this with an Android application, however, this can probably also be accomplished using similar devices.

1) First of all, you need a suitable barcode scanner. For that (and for my Android phone) I applied the well-known "Barcode Scanner" application. With this app, scanning a barcode is easy, as shown below.



2) After scanning, you need to initiate the product search in order to gain access to the publication data.



3) If the Bibsonomy settings have not yet been added to the system, you need to configure the 'custom search URL', in the settings menu. Otherwise, skip to Step 4.







4) Next, query the configured (BibSonomy) custom search provider.



5) Finally, you can tweak retrieved publication data in the usual BibSonomy edit dialog. The screenshot below shows the 'normal' dialog, however, we are currently working on a mobile version of the BibSonomy user interface in order to enhance the user experience for mobile devices.





In my opinion, this is a really cool feature! So, play around with it, and we are happy to get your comments, suggestions, and further ideas.