Build Eye-Catching GUIs (from NIWeek)

[tstahl]

It is amazing how much look does factor in to purchases.  Though, by the arguement put forth, we shouldn't be using switches or relays because they look old and must therefore be obsolete...

[shew82]

Why use switches when you could use a multi-touch screen

Seriously, we live in times where iPhone devices and slick interfaces are becoming the norm and as such user's expections are going up and up, and quite frankly, LabVIEW was left behind long before the latest round of developments. Now, although it is possible (and something those of us at Bloomy Controls work hard at) to create intuative up-to-date interfaces for our applications, its a shame that we have to spend so much time fighting with LabVIEW to customize or even completely hide the default control appearences.

[Wes_Ramm1]

It certainly seems that I am not the only one out there who's bottom line has been affected by the look and feel of LV's front panels, but here's another issue that drives me crazy.

This isn't a UI topic, so scold me if you must, but in addition to convincing people that the LV UI is adequate, are you guys still facing the perception that LabVIEW is a "toy" or somehow not capable of complex tasks?  I get this every week.  I've been doing this for 17 years, and I have built software with LV from 1 VI to large enteroprise scale suites of several hundred vi's for customers all over the world.  Some of the code I wrote for MB in Germany has been running without changes since 1998.  Where does this perception come from, and how do you guys combat it??

Wes

[soupy]

I agree. the old-looking UI is an issue. I am currently fighting my boss (who only programs 2 hours a day) over switching from LabVIEW to IGOR to view live test data just because it is object oriented and looks prettier. Aparently looking pretty is more important than being easy to code.

[soupy]

SpaceX uses LabVIEW on pretty much everyhting except the flight software on the rocket (when is NI gonna make a flight computer?). Do you know of any other "toys" that do that?

[Wes_Ramm1]

I feel like there is more to this issue (the perception that LabVIEW is somehow a "Toy"), so I started a new group "Selling LabVIEW to skeptics"

http://decibel.ni.com/content/thread/3871

Go check it out.  I am going to invite Elijah Kerry, who is an NI guy and an evangelist in the whole LabVIEW perception thing.  Hopefully we can all help each other out with this one.

Wes

[Elijah_K]

It should come as no surprise that we find ourselves having to regularly discuss and explain the merits of LabVIEW as a programming language to skeptics.  More thoughts on this here: http://decibel.ni.com/content/thread/3871

[tstahl]

Unfortunately, flash (looking pretty) sells better.

Don't forget that people will remember a bad experience more than a good one and that includes a "poor" user interface.  I'd say your boss has a good point in there, but not necessarily the right solution.

[Elijah_K]

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[Neil.Pate]

Great, thanks Jonathan,

great UIs!