Saddest User Interface Change
Long term feedback after the keyboard command change to require use of shift key to move PTZ cameras....
BAR NONE! This is by far the worst change that has been implemented in Security Spy in all the years we have used it. This has made it far more difficult to instantly maneuver PTZ cameras in our system when we see activity happening live on screen.
Making this change to be consistent with other aspects of SS usage, massively ruined usability in time critical situations where fumbling to press and hold a modifier key slows response. At best it annoys, at worst it makes rapid response fail or renders the keyboard control so clumsy that my wife simply fails and has given up on real time control via keyboard.
Without a doubt, this is the single worst user interface achievement -- and this is after allowing months to get used to this clumsy arrangement.
It achieves the exact equivalent to changing steering wheels to requiring one to continually hold down a button on the dashboard effect any steering.
Comments
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I hate it as well. Haven't even completely gotten used to it after all this time (usually have to do it twice- nothing happens the first time.)
I have also been wondering why I have to reload to view cameras after logging in to web interface on some machines but not others. They come up blank initially until reload.
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It changed a fast, one hand process into a clumsy two handed affair that causes us to fail to slew cameras quickly enough.
The complication of requiring a modifier key for cameras moves is a self-inflicted, design flaw in an otherwise brilliant product.
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When we made this change, we didn't expect it to be so controversial! Since shift-click has always controlled PTZ from the mouse, therefore Shift-keypress seemed to make sense to us.
However, I understand that for someone who uses PTZ frequently, the change has made this less convenient. Therefore, we have now added a settings option that determines this behaviour. In the latest beta version of SecuritySpy (currently 6.22b18), you'll find a new "PTZ keyboard control" option under Settings > General > Advanced General Options, with the following choice:
- No modifier key: naked arrow/keypad presses control PTZ. Shift-arrow becomes the way to navigate between cameras in full-screen mode.
- Hold Shift: arrow/keypad presses control PTZ only when Shift or Caps Lock is enabled.
I hope this resolves the problem for you both. Please report back once you've had a chance to test.
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Ben, THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
This restores quick PTZ usage to the keyboard. Ever grateful you are willing to give us this option. We really tried to live with the modifier key, but it was just infuriating when trying to zoom and track animals and birds. One failure to push the modifier would delay actions enough to lose effective tracking of fast movers.
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What exactly does this mean? "shift-click has always controlled PTZ from the mouse"
I can control PTZ directly from my trackpad without opening any panels or windows?
Huh, never tried it before. Now that know this exists, I suspect it's responsible for moving the camera but not knowing why in the past.
