I'm working through a few possibilities for providing more details in the Download buttons on the app pages so that it's more obvious how much space the apps require. I'm thinking about making the version, language and size information two lines instead of one. So, instead of:
DOWNLOAD NOW
4.57, Windows, Multilingual 1.1MB
It would be:
DOWNLOAD NOW
4.57 for Windows, Multilingual
(1.1MB / 2.1MB installed)
You can see a test of the new format on the 7-Zip Portable page here:
https://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/7-zip_portable
And the original format on the ClamWin Portable page here:
https://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/clamwin_portable
I'd be able to bump up the font size of the two lines a bit (I did in the example). I'm also toying with the idea of adding - FREE to the DOWNLOAD NOW line. I've added this to the 7-Zip page, too, for people to check out.
Anyone have thoughts, suggestions or comments?
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but i am not a big fan of the "FREE" thing.
In my humble opinion i think it looks cheap.
Please search before posting. ~Thanks
I know what you mean. It's just an experiment. Mozilla does it with the Firefox download button, so I figured I'd try it out.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
I agree with powerjuice, don't add FREE to the buttons...unless of course there will be some non-free apps here. If there will be, leave the FREE off until the non-free stuff gets added.
I like the other info though.
The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705
No free. I like the added download/installed size line, although I think it might be more clear if you added 'download': (1.1MB download / 2.1MB installed)
formerly rayven01
Do you have a place to put "please do not right-click" or something like that?
MC
It has caused problems
Tim
Things have got to get better, they can't get worse, or can they?
I think the original looks better.
Better to add the size info as text directly below the image.
As far as the FREE thing goes, possibly consider something like this instead.
You could do a "PortableApps Certified" or "Reviewed" or "Approved" etc.
"Because they stand on a wall and say, 'Nothing is going to hurt you tonight. Not on my watch.'" (A Few Good Men)
Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous.(Albert Einstein)
I like the new button, but perhaps the "4.57 for Windows, Multilingual" font could be smaller. The install size is a great addition to the button, even though it's also at the end of the page.
The free thing should be taken out though, I think.
OliverK> you don't live on a cow
IRC: It brings out the best in all of us...Especially when tired.
I ditched Free. I wasn't really digging it, myself.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
looks good now
The developer formerly known as ZGitRDun8705
Agreed
Tim
Things have got to get better, they can't get worse, or can they?
If you don't mind a newbie's opinion; you already put free/open source under download details, maybe you could put that "free" in a bold font. Thanks for all of your hard work!
I noticed free come up on a couple of them a while back, and it does sound cheap.
Having the installed size is a nice idea, but as someone said above it may be better to add that below. The language is probably a good idea to keep there, and the OS and version number. Also, the font size on ClamWin's looks better to me, but maybe that is too small for some people.
So I say reduce the font size and put the MB sizes below or somewhere else off the button.
Since the text looks a little big, but I like the download sizes there, I've added my own example on the WinMerge Portable page.
I think it looks a lot better like that myself.
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
I like yours the best. It looks better not having to make the button taller.
Some of the below text includes: "Languages | Details | Upgrade from x.x" so there isn't any room to spare on that line
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
What about having 2 lines with a <br /> in between?
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
I agree with the mayority of not including FREE. In my experience the FREE download is used in more than 50% of all cases for a limited demo or restricted or time limited shareware.
Besides the download itself is just a download. (It doesn't say download FREE software).
The main function of the button is to clarify where to click to start a download. All extra information might be beyond the intended function of the button. (IE version and size are already pushing the boundaries.)
Just my 2 Euro-cents.
I agree with LOGAN-Portable except I think the percent of cases where FREE is used for trial, demo and limited usage apps is closer to 90%.
Whenever I see "Free download" I immediately look for the flip side, what's the limitation. Free apps/utilities rarely say "Free download".
The text "DOWNLOAD NOW" could be changed to "Click HERE to download now" since the box is suppose to be a button.
The "1.1MB / 2.1MB installed" gives the impression that the install will use between 1.1MB and 2.1MB depending on what install options are selected. I think it's clearer this way "1.1MB download / 2.1 installed". There's no ambiguity.
Ed
I was going to use x.x download / x.x installed... but again we run into size constraints with apps that vary in installation size.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
How about "x.x download / y.y - z.z installed"
Michael D. Shook
Even that gets too wide on certain pages. I'll see if I can tweak it further.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
Never use "Click here" in a link. Apart from the fact it has no meaning, what about screen readers or people with touch screens. It has no semantic meaning to them.
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
LOL
Well... I'm not sure about that though. Screen readers? Touch screens? Oh well, if it looks like a button it might get 'clicked' or 'pushed' or 'tapped', hehe.
Although I dont think "click here" is needed, I also don't think it would be a 'Never. Ever. Ever.'
But I don't know, I dont use a screen reader or a fancy touch screen.
"Click here" has been bad design-wise forever for the very reasons Ryan mentioned. "Follow this link" is more appropriate as it applies to people using a mouse, using a keyboard, using an audio browser with speech recognition, etc.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
I like the new design but if the others complain it is to big you could shrink it because you can see that there is a bit of unused space above Download now.
Artificial intelligence stands no chance against natural stupidity!
More whitespace is better.
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."
Then he would be writing in the bevel which wouldn't look good.
I really didn't know where to post this, so as long as we're talking buttons in this thread, I noticed a mistype next to the "Donate" button on the VLC Media Player page https://portableapps.com/apps/music_video/vlc_portable, it says "Support VLC direcrly".
Again, sorry if I posted in the wrong place.
Thanks for that.
"If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate."