REQUEST: Computer UI Navigation

There are quite a few hoops to jump through when interacting with the in-game Computer pie-menu. So many choices have been added over time, so many submenus to navigate. More options are added when leveling skills, career promotions, unlocked traits, etc. Sometimes I'll come across something and suddenly remember, "Oh yeah, that exists.” Sometimes losing my place or in the wrong submenu means starting over, clicking and clicking and clicking to find what I'm after. More choices… More choices… More choices…

Oftentimes I have to pause my game because of the amount of time it takes to search through the computer pie-menu. Mix that with full autonomy can wreak havoc in my household. So if pausing is in order, why not change the computer pie-menu to a pop-up dialog box, same as the Calendar, Notebook, Phone Apps, etc.? These features automatically pause the game when the feature is in use.

Similar to the update to the phone and social interactions, the Computer object needs an organizational update. Let's have fun with it.

Suggestion when clicking on the Computer:

1. Enable Emotional Aura
2. Upgrade…
3. Overclock
4. Open...

Open...

This option opens a dialog pop-up. For fun, what if this pop-up mimics an actual computer desktop? Much like how your Sims can customize their phone background and phone cover, players could choose the computer wallpaper.

Choosing a Category from the taskbar opens a nested internal window. Subcategories are listed on the window sidebar, their respective Item List is displayed in the left content pane.

Desktop Home Screen

On the desktop can be found these base functions:

1. Home = (show desktop, close subcategory window)
2. Notepad
3. Email IDEA
4. Wallpaper
5. Security
• Lock Computer for...
• Lock for Specific Sim…
• Scan for viruses IDEA
• Change Passwords (Paranoid trait)

Categories

A taskbar along the bottom of the home screen which list the main categories:

1. Simology - Custom to Sim
   • Lifestyle Coaching
   • Celebrity Cleanse
   • Aspiration-related IDEA
   • Trait-related IDEA
2. Skill - Localize interactions
   • Skill building
   • Skill-related
   • Skill unlocks
   • Comedy, Write, Programming, Video Games
   • Include Mischief, Charisma
   • Logic - Online Chess? IDEA
3. Social
   • Socialize
   • Social Networking
   • Social Bunny
   • Cupid's Corner
4. Venture
   1. Buy a Business
   2. Career
   3. University
   4. Freelance
   5. Volunteer Activities
   6. Unlocked Career Interactions
5. Household
   • Family - localize: Adopt, Marriage, Expand
6. Web
7. Order
   • Seeds - localize: include Vampire, Oversized Crops
   • Vampire - plasma packs, encyclopedias
   • Purchase Gifts for… IDEA - Mail a gift to someone 
   • Plopsy
8. Donate

Subcategory EXAMPLE - window, right sidebar

1. Venture... (home, miscellaneous)
2. Buy a Business...
3. Career...
4. University...
5. Freelance...
6. Volunteer Activities...

Item List EXAMPLE - window, left content

Buy a Business…

1. Buy a Vet Clinic
2. Buy a Retail Store
3. Buy a Restaurant
4. Buy a Rental Property

Some options could be listed logically in multiple locations, such as these useful but forgotten functions:

• "Write and Excuse for..." - list in both "Write..." and "Venture..."
• "Write a Love Email..." - list in both "Write..." and "Social..." and “Email…”

Include Email

Same as Text Messages.

• Happy
• Angry
• Sad
• Flirty
• Mean

Send and Receive messages from strangers, friends, and family.

Sign up for promotions and deals.

New email types

• Newsletters
• Clubs
• Vampires
• Sulani (Child of the Islands)
• Tomarang (Child of the Village)
• Spam
• Coupons
• Purchase Gifts
• Purchase Gifts for…
• Books
• Order…
• Phishing - lose money, get hacked
• Hacked? Use IDEA: Scan for Viruses security measure
• Chain-letter
• Don’t Forward = Feeling Unlucky moodlet
• Forward = Gullible Galoot moodlet, reduces friendship