Feature Request for Alternative Implementation of GAME SEARCH in Total Reply

[JDW1]

The origin of this Feature Request began here: https://github.com/a2-4am/4cade/issues/557

Polling the Apple II community on FaceBook shows that the majority of Total Reply users who responded to the poll define game-search as being either Hit or Miss or Mostly a Miss. Only a minority said they get to their desired game every time. This behooves us to ponder an improved means of search.

In a comment under my FaceBook poll, Mitchell Spector suggests this: Best solution? Have an option for a POP-UP scrolling list of all games available (or even switch to an all text screen if necessary--allow us to select from an alphabeticalized listing).

I myself am thinking of something a little different, yet still somewhat similar to what is done now. For example, I propose you present the user with a new screen immediately upon detecting a key-press. On that new screen, show the key they typed, and continue to show any additional keys typed. Only begin search AFTER they hit Return. So long as the characters they type match a game's name, that should result in a perfect match every time.

If there could be a "text field overlay" atop whatever screen is currently displayed, that too would work, so long as it shows the user they characters they are typing, and so long as search does not begin until they type return. The reason to delay search until Return is pressed is to better ensure no typed characters are missed, which might happen if search commences WHILE characters are still being typed.

With that said, the exact method of improving search isn't so important so long as it mostly eliminates the hit or miss kind of searching that many people are experiencing now.

Lastly, this Feature Request should not be viewed in a negative light. It is not a complaint. Total Replay developers have done amazing work on Total Replay. It is truly fantastic, and shows how many hours of toil the creators have put into it. The aim of this Feature Request is merely intended to spark a discussion on to improve on an already great piece of software. Remember that good methods of SEARCH are all around us. Search is what led to Google becoming the behemoth it is today. The better any given search feature is for the end user, the happier and more productive that user can be.