A progressive or threshold-switched scan would be better than an alphabetical search, as you can simply watch the letters whiz by, the first ones (the “alphabetical search” ) much slower, being exactly what you’re looking for anyway.
For implementation, trying the different methods of speed increase for ease of use will be the primary test.
I agree, reinventing the GUI, adding another layer of navigation on top of a simple interface would be counterproductive.
We can use one of several methods:
Rotation time would trigger a faster scroll if the wheel is continually rotated for more than a set interval, speeding up the scan, until momentarily stopped. If your song starts with a letter early in the list, the device may start to rocket past the desired letter, necessitating a reverse roll to find it. This is dpendent upon the rate increase.
Rotation speed would trigger a faster scroll if the wheel is rotated above a set rate. If you’re looking for something in the middle of the alphabet, a fast roll will trigger a fast scan. As you approach the desired letter, slowing down will return the Sansa to a slower, more precise scrolling.
The trick is to find an acceptable mode, or a combination of both, leading to a smooth search. My favorite would be rotation speed, with a variable or several-step speed increases, much like holding the >> button does with running through an audio track.
Come to think of it, we would actually be “reinventing the wheel” by improving it, figuratively speaking.
Time for a listen…
Bob :smileyvery-happy:
Message Edited by neutron_bob on 10-16-2008 06:59 AM