• Mobile vs. desktop site features

    From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to All on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 12:38:42
    Recently I've noticed some sites/apps allow more features when using a mobile device vs. using a desktop PC. For instance, there's a relatively new site I heard about last year called OfferUp, which is a classified ads site similar to Craigslist - With OfferUp, you can only post items for sale from a mobile device. Their web site lets you browse items (and message people, I believe) but you can't post items for sale from their web site. I had a hard time understanding why, but I suppose it's a sign that more people are using mobile devices than desktop/laptop PCs these days?

    Similarly, I've heard of stores that offer coupons with a bigger discount when using a mobile device vs. a desktop/laptop PC. This seems harder to understand for me - I'm not sure why a store would care what type of device you're using?

    Nightfox

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  • From jagossel@VERT/KK4QBN to Nightfox on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 18:41:44
    Re: Mobile vs. desktop site features
    By: Nightfox to All on Tue Nov 28 2017 12:38:42

    Recently I've noticed some sites/apps allow more features when using a mobil device vs. using a desktop PC. For instance, there's a relatively new site heard about last year called OfferUp, which is a classified ads site similar Craigslist - With OfferUp, you can only post items for sale from a mobile device. Their web site lets you browse items (and message people, I believe but you can't post items for sale from their web site. I had a hard time understanding why, but I suppose it's a sign that more people are using mobi devices than desktop/laptop PCs these days?

    I agree with that assessment. I, personally, use my phone for just about everything, and I do use it more than my own laptop. I even run a DOS "VM" on phone to log onto BBSes. I am even using DOSBox Turbo on my phone to work on a side programming project using FreeBASIC.

    Honestly, I am not really surprised that app/services developers are catching onto this and started to gear it toward mobile devices. Strangely enough, I found the .NET API documentation easier to navigate on my phone than my work laptop.

    Similarly, I've heard of stores that offer coupons with a bigger discount wh using a mobile device vs. a desktop/laptop PC. This seems harder to underst for me - I'm not sure why a store would care what type of device you're usin

    What site is doing that? I do agree that seems odd that there are retailers that might do that, but the only reason I can see is to drive more mobile device traffic; that still doesn't seem right, though.

    -jag
    Code it, script it, automate it!

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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to jagossel on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 17:11:56
    Re: Mobile vs. desktop site features
    By: jagossel to Nightfox on Tue Nov 28 2017 06:41 pm

    I agree with that assessment. I, personally, use my phone for just about everything, and I do use it more than my own laptop. I even run a DOS "VM" on phone to log onto BBSes. I am even using DOSBox Turbo on my phone to work on a side programming project using FreeBASIC.

    Do you use the on-screen keyboard or a Bluetooth keyboard? I have a hard time feeling very productive on a phone because I type much more slowly on the on-screen keyboard, and I make more typing mistakes with it too. I've heard people say mobile devices are more for consumption (of content) and laptops/PCs are better for content creation, and generally I agree with that. For tasks requiring a lot of typing and editing, I find it a lot easier with a laptop or PC where I can use a real keyboard and mouse.

    Similarly, I've heard of stores that offer coupons with a bigger
    discount wh using a mobile device vs. a desktop/laptop PC. This seems
    harder to underst for me - I'm not sure why a store would care what
    type of device you're usin

    What site is doing that? I do agree that seems odd that there are retailers that might do that, but the only reason I can see is to drive more mobile device traffic; that still doesn't seem right, though.

    I've heard of that happening more often in some other countries, but I did see a retailer doing that here in the US not too long ago. I don't remember which it was though.

    Nightfox

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  • From poindexter FORTRAN@VERT/REALITY to jagossel on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 21:36:02
    Re: Mobile vs. desktop site features
    By: jagossel to Nightfox on Tue Nov 28 2017 06:41 pm

    I agree with that assessment. I, personally, use my phone for just about everything, and I do use it more than my own laptop. I even run a DOS "VM" on phone to log onto BBSes. I am even using DOSBox Turbo on my phone to work on a side programming project using FreeBASIC.

    I used to lug around a Thinkpad T420 to coffee shops, but lately if I'm
    just browsing I'll bring my phone.

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  • From Jagossel@VERT/MTLGEEK to Nightfox on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 06:28:18
    Re: Mobile vs. desktop site features
    By: Nightfox to jagossel on Tue Nov 28 2017 17:11:56

    I agree with that assessment. I, personally, use my phone for just abou everything, and I do use it more than my own laptop. I even run a DOS " on phone to log onto BBSes. I am even using DOSBox Turbo on my phone to work on a side programming project using FreeBASIC.

    Do you use the on-screen keyboard or a Bluetooth keyboard? I have a hard ti feeling very productive on a phone because I type much more slowly on the on-screen keyboard, and I make more typing mistakes with it too. I've heard people say mobile devices are more for consumption (of content) and laptops/ are better for content creation, and generally I agree with that. For tasks requiring a lot of typing and editing, I find it a lot easier with a laptop PC where I can use a real keyboard and mouse.

    I use the on-screen keyboard, and it is a pain in the neck to deal with when it comes to writting messsges or programming. I do use Hacker's Keyboard and it does give me a full 5-row QWERTY keyboard with a TAB, CTRL, ALT, and ESC buttons in portrait mode (not an out-of-the-box setting, though). Honestly, I'm not sure which is worse: tiny on-screen keyboard or a tiny Bluetooth keyboard.

    I agree that mobile devices are meant for consumption, not creation. It does consumption well, but creation isn't as productive as it would on a PC. There are apps that will produce things and it's catered to the touch screen.

    For example: you can get Fruity Loops for the mobile device, but isn't as powerful as its PC counterpart. Caustic is much better and is more powerful than Fruity Loops mobile, and more affordable.

    -jag
    Code it, Script it, Automate it!

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  • From Elaek@VERT/CPUGOD to All on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 12:33:27
    Some sites/apps allow more features using a mobile device than vs. using a desktop PC.

    Its because they want you to download their app. They're able to sell your information, track you, market to you, etc., a lot easier when you download their app and consequently accept their TOS.

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