The iTunes alternative Boxee which has received a bit of press lately has recently launched the latest iteration, allowing PC users to now join in on the fun. Boxee is easy to use (for the most part) and has simple (albeit hidden) navigation which allows for a moderate learning curve for the full viewing enjoyment.
First Impressions
When opening Boxee for the first time, or the fifth time it reacts the same way. It loads the program in full screen asking you to log your account in through Boxee’s website. The problem does not lie within the login part. No, the problem lies with the view adjustment to be full screen. Boxee needs to take a lesson from web developer 101. Never, ever, make something go full screen, especially if I have to login. Some will argue that front row does the same thing, but the difference is that Boxee is meant to be used with a keyboard for the
majority of it’s use, not a remote.
Navigation
Upon resizing the program to fit comfortably on my screen I noticed another problem. Where’s the navigation? Instead they have hidden the nav bar on the left, which will slide out upon hovering in that area. This can become frustrating as sometimes your mouse will be just a little too far when trying to select certain items. This is another area that Boxee needs to learn from web developers. Avoid this menu style like you would drop down menus: Use only when you must. Otherwise it leaves the user frustrated and wasting time.
The setup once you have taken care of your media locations is quite simple. Simply click whether you want to view the applications or browse your media and you are set. The only complaint I have about this set up, is unlike some of Boxee’s competitors, it does not retrieve the box art, nor does it retrieve a synopsis of the movie itself.
Layout
The applications area has been set up in a grid style manner, simple to follow and very straight forward. It’s easy to differentiate between applications because Boxee uses the native logo for each application which is helpful when scanning through multiple applications.
Upon opening an application like the revision 3 app, you are able to select which episode you would like to view, on the right is a thumbnail that is generated, albeit very low quality thumbnail, which is odd seeing as diggnation (for example) is shot in HD.
Preferences
There are sparse features in the preferences area for you to tweak Boxee to your pleasing. I would have liked to see an easier way for skinning, or installation of skins. Also the addition of a way for developers to make plugins and install them more easily would be nice.
Overall Boxee is a nice alternative to iTunes, however if Boxee wants to compete in the big leagues, it needs to improve on it’s usability in terms of the full screen adjustment, and also not hide the navigation, or at least make these options in the preferences area.
Do you feel Boxee is a dud? Let us know in our comments area.
Author: Jordan Dunn
Creative director for Green Pepper Studios, blogger, snowboarder, all around geek. You can view his personal portfolio (coming soon) at jordandunn.org or follow him on twitter @JordanDunn
2:35 am on February 4th, 2010
Strange this post is totaly unrelated to what I was searching google for, but it was listed on the first page. I guess your doing something right if Google likes you enough to put you on the first page of a non related search.