Mad Props!

Something I added very early on in Comicster’s life was a “welcome” page so that new users didn’t see a stark white screen when they first ran the program:

I’m a firm believer in guiding users through the process of using your application, so this was a no-brainer.

However, when the user got around to clicking “Start a new collection”, they were treated to this view:

What now? As a seasoned user (and the developer) I know to click the “Insert” button and add some comics to my collection, but Joe User, seeing Comicster for the first time, has no idea how to proceed.

In the next version I’ve added some guidance to the collection screen so you know where to go next:

Check out the middle column. It’s telling you why it has nothing to show, and prompting you to take action to populate your collection. You’ll see a similar view if you select a title with no issues:

This should help new users find their way, and adds a certain “flair” to the “blank page” experience in Comicster.