Heyo Folder Fort Team and fellow users!
Here's my feedback on the Folder Fort Sync App Beta Version 1! I'll go through everything step-by-step based on my initial experiences:
(.) Let's Start with the Setup:
A few things could be added or improved during installation:
- An option to select a custom installation location.
- An option to add the app to a specific Start Menu folder.
- I noticed the sync app doesn't automatically create a desktop shortcut. An option to create a
desktop shortcut during setup would be much appreciated!
- One thing I absolutely loved is that it doesn't automatically open the Folder Fort website after
installation! Many apps do this, and it can be a bit irritating, so I really appreciate that this one
doesn't. Thumbs up for that!
(.) Let's Talk About the App Itself!
A. UI/UX (User Interface & User Experience):
- Right after installation, I noticed a couple of things that could enhance the initial welcome:
- Like a cool, animated opening animation of the Folder Fort icon (perhaps just for the first launch or a faster version of that when opening in day to day uses).
- [Also I know some people might prefer less-animated look for snappier app, but absolute no sometimes feels like unfinished product in my opinion, so I shared my feedback.]
- A brief setup tour or guide (with an option to skip it, of course!). These might seem like extras, but they really add value and improve the experience for new users (small touches like these are appreciated by everyone!)
- Adding subtle micro-animations and transitions throughout the UI and for icons would not only look satisfying but also enhance the overall user experience.
- The current font is okay, but personally, I think a bolder, more rounded, and easily readable font – perhaps something similar to those used in Material You designs – would be great! This is just my personal preference, though.
- Making the UI elements like boxes and corners more rounded, and ensuring elements are well-aligned and centered, could further polish the look.
- I noticed the app doesn't have a Dark/Light mode switch like the web version does. Adding this would be appreciated! An AMOLED-friendly dark theme option would also be really cool (maybe a few more theme choices lol i love customization 😃 )
B. The App Itself (Suggestions, Bugs, Improvements):
- The account icon (person icon) in the top-right corner currently only leads to 'Sign Out', even though it visually suggests account settings. Perhaps a 'Power Button' icon would be clearer for just signing out? Alternatively, integrating the actual account settings into the app here would be fantastic!
- Bug Report: In the settings menu, the back button icon in the top right disappears after being used once. After that, the only way to leave the settings menu is to close the entire app. Please look into fixing this bug!
- The 'Active Status' icon (between the settings and account icons) seems slightly off-center to the left. Centering it would look a bit cleaner! (Apologies for my slight OCD, haha!)
- There are two ways to sort files:
(a) from the home menu dropdown, and
(b) using the separate sort icon.
- I love having the quick option on the home screen! For the separate sort menu/icon, could it perhaps offer more advanced options like 'Sort Ascending/Descending' and 'Sort by File Type'?
- On the home page list, displaying the file 'Type' alongside the 'Name' would be very handy. This would also complement the suggested 'Sort by File Type' feature and be really useful for organizing folders with many different kinds of files.
- In the top-right menu, 'Manual Upload' is clear. However, the purpose of the 'My Folder Fort' button isn't immediately obvious - clicking it seems to start/refresh the sync, but there's already a 'Sync Now' button at the bottom. Some clarification on its function would be helpful. Alternatively, perhaps this button could be repurposed? For example, it could display the current workspace and allow switching workspaces when clicked. (It will be very handy)
- It would be great (personal preference!) if the app could show an estimated time remaining (ETR) for uploads/downloads, along with the current speed. Placing this near the 'Sync Now' button would give users a clear idea of progress, especially when syncing large files or folders.
C. Some Crucial Features and Potential Bugs:
- A crucial feature would be the ability to Pause and Resume sync operations. This would be incredibly helpful, especially when dealing with large files. I understand there might be technical challenges because of potential server side limitations, but having this in the app would be a significant improvement.
- A dedicated Notification system would be valuable. It could:
- Alert users (perhaps with an optional sound cue) about sync errors, failures, or stoppages.
- Confirm when a sync is complete, maybe showing the number of files/folders synced (just the count).
- Include settings to customize these notifications (toggle sounds, choose which alerts to receive).
⚠️[Technical Note:] Implementing robust notifications, pause/resume, and ETA might require some local logging. Ensuring this is handled securely and locally would be key.
3 [IMPORTANT BUG] In 'Settings -> Select Remote Folder', I'm unable to select my different Workspaces. It only detects the Default Workspace. Furthermore, within the Default Workspace, it only lists the main folders, not any sub-folders. (I had mentioned this during API testing to the team but i guess they didn't see it so, just wanted to highlight it again here!).
- Related to the above, the Home screen currently only lists files that are in the root of the Default Workspace (not inside any folders). The main folders themselves don't appear on the Home screen list.
- Currently, clicking the 'Close' (X) button completely closes the application. This could interrupt syncing unexpectedly. It would be great to have an option in settings to choose the behavior of the close button: either 'Minimize to Tray' (and continue syncing) or 'Exit Application'.
### D. Privacy Thoughts and Final Suggestions:
- Regarding privacy, while features like login/sync logging are absolute necessary, but increasing transparency and user control would build a lot of trust. Here's a list of privacy tweaks Folder Fort should consider:
- Providing users the ability to view relevant logs like (sync activity, errors, I.P, System Identifier, UID-Transferring data of Files and Folders) within the app, this option can be a separate menu in the top right account/power setting
- PLUS not only seeing those logs but the ability for users to clear the logs (from both client and server-side, perhaps keeping the current session of course) And (Implementing this for both sync app and web app would be ideal).
- One more thing I noticed is in the Web App, it logs the I.P. and Browser Fingerprint of the whoever signs into the account. And it's absolutely amazing feature but in some way (even if it's stored privately) it's stored on the server. So, There has to be a clear logs feature (Both client and server side) on the sign in history in the account settings as well (OR, give the user to disable logging sign in data)
- Features like these not only build trust in current users but attract millions of other users and increase privacy and security for everyone. This will be so much useful to fight against data leaks or vulnerabilities.
-Additionally, being more transparent about the sync process itself (even a simplified visual explanation) could be very reassuring. Because trust me the more company is transparent, the more users it attracts. And it can be done without being open sourced or revealing code data. Sometimes users just need to know through which pipeline and process the data is going through and will it be deleted/stored for a certain period of time.
I've written all this feedback and critics/suggestions in the Data and Privacy department because I genuinely like Folder Fort and am excited to see it grow and improve! It's for everyone's betterment and NOT to hate the company or ANYONE. And all this is based on my initial impressions on Beta App and some months of web app experience, and I'll keep sharing more if I find other bugs or have more ideas.
(P.S. Dave, if possible, please consider leaning into a Material You style for the UI – I personally love that aesthetic!)
Thanks so much for reading my feedback!
Lots of Love from Kizzie 💖
