When it comes to the program interface, it is always better to listen to the newbie users.
They know better than the old users who have grown used to the interface.
I agree that the right click menu has too many items, the word avast! is mentioned way too many times, almost all musharan and neiby’s comments.
But the interface is not really that bad, I can live with it 
Main thing is Avast gives us a solid antivirus program.
There was another topic (closed now) where Musaran says his suggests. I myself said to Musaran: “I’ve a different opinion, but yours are very interesting”; I think the same as Technical and others: if Musaran have the right to propose his ideas, the same is for who don’t agree these arguments. Thanks God, everyone has the right to maintain his opinion! Or not. I’m not certainly an advanced user: I’m a newbie. But I like the Avast! interfaces and I think it has friendly options. And I’m sure Avast! Team is looking at our wishes with interest. Also maybe is not a wise way to write more and more and more the same things. It seems like the child strategy:
“Daddy, I want this toy!”
“No, son!”
“Daddyyyy…I want it!”
“Not today, son; maybe tomorrow…”
“DADDDDDDDYYYYY!!! I WANTTTTT THE TOYYYYYYY!”
“Oh my God… ok ok but don’t break my head, please!”
Grin
I’m joking, Musaran… I don’t want offend you.
Democracy is the right to say our opinions and the right to respect opposing ideas. 
(1) Alas, little explanation so far, mostly opinions like “fine as it is” or “won’t do”.
(2) I claim to repeat little.
(3) Ew. Not listen to repetition, or not at all ?
Same here: I have seen denigrate, but little ideas.
I may sound capricious, but if there are better reasons for the way it is actually, or to not change it, just tell me. That would suit me.
Other better things in suggested layout :
I have other comments on interface, but they belong in avast! User Interface future…
I didn’t get my way in one Thread so now let me try another one… ;D
Small changes to suggested layout:
Replace “Help” with:
[tr][td]Documentation->[/td][td]Help[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Web Site[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Known Viruses[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]avast! iNews[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Event Log[/td][/tr]-Documentation/information are now grouped. -Main menu gets shorter.
“Web Site” could easely stay in main menu is so wanted.
“About” could be moved here, but should probably stay in main menu.
Add automatic to update menu:
[tr][td]Update->[/td][td]Antivirus[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Virus Knowledge[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]------------[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Automatically [i](checkmark)[/i][/td][/tr]This is simpler, but automatic has to decide what to update.
[tr][td]Update->[/td][td]Anti-virus->[/td][td]Now![/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td][/td][td]Automatically [i](checkmark)[/i][/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Virus Knowledge->[/td][td]Now![/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td][/td][td]Automatically [i](checkmark)[/i][/td][/tr]This is more configurable, but the 3-level menu and repetition for so little choices is uneasy.
Musaran
What is
Virus knowledge?
Just a little observation.
“About” is normally, in most programs, located under help.
I do think that “Start avast! antivirus” should be changed to simply “avast! antivirus” . I just think that “Start is a little misleading” I know for me it was when I first installed the program months ago.
Im used to the program, and where things are located. New people aren’t. And to some who may be a little not so computer savvy I kinda think it could use just a “little” better organization.
For me I don’t think its wize to put too much on that menu. I do think that most of it is fine as it is, and that some could be moved elsewhere to clean it up abit. If you put TOO much there it “may” scare off some.
just me 2 cents
I’m thinking he means the iAVS update…
and Musaran… virus knowledge would make most people go what the heck is that?
If that’s the case then it should be:
Update-> avast! Program
Virus database
IMHO
Since I opened me big mouth ;D
I was just sitting here thinking and Ill spill the beans then duck out
Suggesting change isnt slamming what we have; I think its bettering what we have.
And its afterall just suggestions…
So here goes with what I think… in very simplistic terms
I think that when you click on that a ball in the sys tray that avast! should open up to a screen that has everything laid out nicely on it that you need to get to or use. I know this would be alot of work. And I realize we are talking about a lot of languages here. And it may be something that could be hashed around abit and given some thought and maybe someday way down the rroad become a reality.
Ive seen some people mention Norton and McAfee and how graphically well they present themselves (of course they are resource hogs and we hate them… but will give them credit for organization and ease of use)
SOOOOOOO… why NOT compete abit more???
Why NOT put it all in one place?
Options could be on the left… with icons/buttons to press to access them… The providers (Web Shield, Net Shield, Internet Mail, Standard Sheild, etc) could be located there. With a press of the button all you need would open on the right side of the screen.
others could be across the top… such as Help (maybe put registration and about under there) Settings, Updating, Logs, etc.
I realize Ive left some things out… such as Scanning itself. That could be put on the left as well… or maybe a providers button, a scanning button, etc etc down the left… Yes in a way its like frames. Options on the left. You click on a button and what you want to do and all to go with it opens on the right.
Then leave the right click on the “a” ball for just a FEW simple things that we may want to access quickly.
I know some are (not appearing) to appreciate “M’s” suggestions…
well… Im a regular here and the above is just one of mine… smile
bob… I agree… easier to understand
I don’t remember the name of one Alwil Team’s member who said: “No great changes for the next release… concerning the version 5, I like the like-Longhorn interface”… if I have understood well, this is more than a sign… eh eh eh… probably, we shall have a “All-in-One” button (user friendly for the peace-of-minded users) and another one for deeplevel configurations. (from “The Holy Book of Avast! Prophets”, 1754, VirusPress ltd - Praha) ;D
lol Thats why I said “way down the road”
under the Colosseum’s cellars (here, in Roma) some archaeologists found an ancient Latin book of magic. At chapter 154, there are the words: “When the black&yellow is falling (maybe, NortonAV) and the scottish loses the war (McAfee?), a spinning blueball raises (Avast?) and smashes the worms (viruses?) by the hands”
(from “De Antiquitate Latium Magiae”, maybe 235 b.C.; unknown author)
:o
In french the actual wording is “Update viral database”.
“Database” is a rather technical term, and doesn’t mean much to many a user.
“viral” is less usual than “virus”.
“iAVS” has no meaning whatsoever to newcomer.
“Known Viruses” maybe ?
Bonus points for using the same name as in the suggested help menu.
Then, it could be grouped in a submenu:
[tr][td]Known Viruses->[/td][td]Update[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Browse[/td][/tr]But I think "Update" grouping is more important.
Usually last item under the tiny “?” menu.
I was thinking that since the program is not an open window, active with title and menu bar, the user should be given better hints as to what “this is”.
I was also thinking that “About…” would be move there if the menu needed to be shorter, and the title removed.
But when agreeing with the idea of unified window interface, I realized how right you are:
Systray context menu and main window menu bar should be the same thing!
Users like unified interfaces a lot because they have only one layout/name/logic/loo&feel to learn, quicly become familiar with it, and find their way back easely, whatever the access method used.
I was concentrating here on the systray menu alone, but it turns out the main menu bar and window are involved also.
Just my 2 €cents ;D
eurocents!!! ;D
I edited my former posts to the actual english names where applicable.
Wich, of course, brings me to new suggestions:
“Updating->” is misleading.
The thing is not currently updating, it is going to, if the user chooses so.
“P2P” is much too abbreviated, there is room for “Peer to Peer”.
Musaran
I had said in an earlier post that I wasn’t picking on you but you seemed to have turned this into a
one man sounding board.
;D
The board is open and public, make it sound to your liking if you think you have a good tune.
Shield (Provider) submenus could give access to protection level.
In one group:
[tr][td][i]Shield[/i] (High)->[/td][td]Custom[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]High ([i]checkmark[/i])[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Normal[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Asleep[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Off[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]--------[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Settings...[/td][/tr]Good: Short and easy. Bad: When setting protection back, one has to remember what was active before.
As two separate groups:
[tr][td][i]Shield[/i] (High On)->[/td][td]On [i](checkmark)[/i][/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Asleep[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Off[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]--------[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Custom[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]High [i](checkmark)[/i][/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Normal[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]--------[/td][/tr] [tr][td][/td][td]Settings...[/td][/tr]Good: Full control. Bad: Longer, cumbersome.