Easy mode

[jonashaag]

Hi @waydabber, thanks a bunch for this awesome program. I've been an open source user for quite some time and a happy pro version customer today.

My feedback is that I'm becoming increasingly overwhelmed by the number of features in BetterDummy. It has a lot of things that I do not care about and/or actively do not want (BetterDummy messing with my brightness and volume controls, Night Shift, ...). At the same time, I'm increasingly confused what's the correct recipe to set up my very simple configuration: External 4K display that should run in HiDPI mode but doesn't work natively with macOS.

What do you think about a slimmed-down version of BetterDummy, or a flag to enable something like an "easy" mode?

[waydabber]

Hi there,

your concern is a valid one. I am actively thinking about this problem. The v1.2.x betas are a work in progress right now (in other words it's a mess...) and this is something I plan to solve.

Here are my plans regarding this:

• I plan to post a v1.1.x version that has all the bug fixes and the updated look of v1.2.x but without all the brightness control stuff. This way there will be a more up-to-date BetterDummy version with the old feature set.
• I'll release v1.2.x once it is ready. I plan to rebrand the app to reflect the fact that it is becoming a more general display utilities app.

I'll streamline v1.2.x the following way:

• There will be an onboarding screen explaining what the app is about (major functions).
• There will be an an easy-to-reach setting both on the onboarding screen and under General settings to turn on/off all video adjustment/brightness/volume stuff on/off in a simple way. This feature is an intrusive one (as you say it partially takes over brightness management) and I understand that in a multi-function app not all users want this feature to interfere in any way.
• I already moved most of the secondary functions under More Options by default so the main menu is a bit less confusing.
• I am in the process of updating Preferences - I'll move all the convoluted/misc settings from the menu over to Preferences so it will be less cluttered (most of those toggles in More Options are just there temporarily until this is done).
• Since Preferences is going to be rather complicated, I plan to add an Advanced checkbox there so the various nuanced or obscure settings won't be visible by default - this is to make things less intimidating while still providing customization options for users.

I acknowledge that I plan to add a lot of features to the app (I say a magnitude more that now) over time, if things go as planned. This does indeed change the character of the app. It is a challenge to keep simplicity of use while adding complexity and an extensive set of features. I'll try to find the right balance in this but feedbacks (like yours) are super important to do this right so Thank You! :)

[waydabber]

For now I added two general settings so the intrusive features can be easily disabled (this also allows for quick compatibility with apps like MonitorControl):

#628

I also moved all the clutter settings to a separate Displays tab with some explanations under Preferences so the menu can be cleaner:

#603