Desktop/mobile client brainstorm post

[denise]

Many of our Google Summer of Code applicants have mentioned that they'd like to work on desktop or mobile clients. Since the application phase begins today, I thought I'd post an entry for people to mention what features and functions they consider essential in a desktop or mobile client. This will let our GSOC applicants see the thoughts of people who use the site regularly, so they can work those thoughts into their specs as they build their application.

So, this is a post for people to comment with:

* What features/functions do you consider essential in a desktop/mobile client?
* What features or things would you not want a desktop/mobile client to do?
* What are things you've loved and hated in clients you've used previously?

It's okay to answer separately for both desktop and mobile clients, since the two are only very loosely related. The more feedback you can give, the more it will help our GSOC student applicants as they design their application.

Comments

[swaldman]

Two things needed for mobiles:

1. A good mobile website that works in modern smartphone browsers (webkit, fennec, etc). BUT don't remove the current low-tech one.

2. Apps for popular smartphones. These must allow offline use, with a local cache - at least for posting, ideally for reading - because this is the only real advantage they will offer over a well-designed web-based solution. And PLEASE not just for iPhone. Personally I've love a Pre app, but there are plenty of Blackberry users out there too. What else... Maemo?

Ideally 1 & 2 would be merged, but until we have smartphones that support HTML (or google gears), we'll have to live without that ;-)

[hatman]

Posting from Kindle. First day the mobile site has worked for it. I must object to the idea of replacing the "low tech" interface. A mobile site needs to be stripped down. That's kind of the point of having one.

Also need to make sure that all buttons have alt text for those who disable images to streamline browsing. Forget where I had trouble with that earlier. I miss tabs.

One thing I'd like added is crossposting support. Client side that just means a couple of tickboxes. Right? Major site feature. Tags would be more involved I think. And they could always be edited in later.

Otherwise, I can log in, read, post, comment. All the basic essentials with no frills. Perfect.

[swaldman]

I didn't suggest replacing the low tech interface. Read what I wrote :-)

[hatman]

Oops. Sorry. Exhausted out of my head. Should have read more carefully.

[swaldman]

:-)

[dreamatdrew]

/mobile needs to be reworked, like, a lot. Yes, needs to stay VERY low-tech, but /mobile is all kinds of kludgey feeling right now.

[silveradept]

Maemo. And compatibility with multiple Maemo versions, please, not just Fremantle. Lots of people with their n810s (like me) feeling like they got stuck holding the bag.