Removing 'Add Macro Wizard'

[MacroDroidDev]

Hi all,

At some point soon, I'm thinking about removing the Add Macro Wizard feature. My reasoning behind this is as follows:

1) It offers a more limited feature set than the standard add macro feature (via the edit macro screen). For example you can't add constraints to actions, use loops etc.
2) I believe the UI is worse because you can't easily see the whole macro contents on one screen.
3) I don't really maintain this well, so sometimes when I add features or change other stuff it can break this wizard mode (or lack the same feature additions).
4) There really is no real reason I can think of to have two different ways to initially create a macro and this is likely to cause confusion rather than be helpful.

The reality is that it's only there for legacy reasons as this was the initial way many, many years ago to create a macro and I've kind of just left it there.

I'd like to know any strong thoughts on this, so if you have a good reason why I should not remove it, please speak up now as I'm interested to hear your views!

Thanks!

 

[dhj49er]

I think removing the feature is a good idea.

I have never used the wizard in the 10 years I have been using MacroDroid.

 

[Jacob L]

As hard as it is to remove stuff that required lots of time and effort to implement, I think it should be removed. It could save storage on entry level devices which would potentially improve performance.

 

[AkashiDom]

I agree with removing not only because it's rarely used, but also very buggy.


This macro is created using Wizard Mode and the Action Group is broken.

It also looks weird on Wizard Mode like there isn't any indent:
But it's not only that.

My category is used to be gradient coloured but once I add new macro from Wizard Mode;
It's restored to the default colour.

 

[Dm114]

Hi all,

At some point soon, I'm thinking about removing the Add Macro Wizard feature. My reasoning behind this is as follows:

1) It offers a more limited feature set than the standard add macro feature (via the edit macro screen). For example you can't add constraints to actions, use loops etc.
2) I believe the UI is worse because you can't easily see the whole macro contents on one screen.
3) I don't really maintain this well, so sometimes when I add features or change other stuff it can break this wizard mode (or lack the same feature additions).
4) There really is no real reason I can think of to have two different ways to initially create a macro and this is likely to cause confusion rather than be helpful.

The reality is that it's only there for legacy reasons as this was the initial way many, many years ago to create a macro and I've kind of just left it there.

I'd like to know any strong thoughts on this, so if you have a good reason why I should not remove it, please speak up now as I'm interested to hear your views!

Thanks!

I also think you can remove this feature without any qualms. It had sense at the very beginning when MD community and the forum weren't so big and Template store not so populated to show newcomers how to write a macro.

 

[Wibbly]

+1 to remove it from me

 

[ZnAK]

I may be wrong, I'm sorry, but in my opinion, the Macrodroid Panel is now a rudimentary thing. The functionality of the panel is not developing and is extremely limited. Actions of the Selection dialog and Floating text are currently in priority.

 

[md_sgf]

to show newcomers how to write a macro

I recall using it a few times, as a newcomer, but then I think I stopped using it as I didn't have a use for it after that. So I think it can help newcomers to "learn the ropes", but that's about it.

To create a new macro, I either tap the "+" button in Macros screen, or use "Clone macro" (then delete unwanted contents).

What I would like though, is if new macros were automatically populated with "Empty Trigger" and "Empty Action", as I sometimes don't add any other items until later, and you cannot save a macro unless it has at least 1 trigger and 1 action.

 

[dhj49er]

I recall using it a few times, as a newcomer, but then I think I stopped using it as I didn't have a use for it after that. So I think it can help newcomers to "learn the ropes", but that's about it.

To create a new macro, I either tap the "+" button in Macros screen, or use "Clone this macro" (then delete unwanted contents).

What I would like though, is if new macros were automatically populated with "Empty Trigger" and "Empty Action", as I sometimes don't add any other items until later, and you cannot save a macro unless it has at least 1 trigger and 1 action.

I wouldn't like new macros being automatically populated.

For your use case I would create a macro with the empty trigger and empty action. Make it a favourite, to provide easy access from the main page. Clone the macro, give it a new name and perhaps set a different category, ready to use at a later time.

 

[md_sgf]

Done . This might be quicker than adding the empty trigger & action from my triggers & actions. Currently, it only takes a few seconds, as I have put "Empty Trigger" & "Empty Action" as #1 spot in my favorites. But i want it even quicker, as I do it often.

 

[Jacob L]

What I would like though, is if new macros were automatically populated with "Empty Trigger" and "Empty Action"

It would be better if it would just save without needing these

 

[WolfgangT]

As hard as it is to remove stuff that required lots of time and effort to implement, I think it should be removed. It could save storage on entry level devices which would potentially improve performance.

"Sunk Cost Fallacy". Take it out and never think about it again...

 

[余川.]

I recall using it a few times, as a newcomer, but then I think I stopped using it as I didn't have a use for it after that. So I think it can help newcomers to "learn the ropes", but that's about it.

To create a new macro, I either tap the "+" button in Macros screen, or use "Clone macro" (then delete unwanted contents).

What I would like though, is if new macros were automatically populated with "Empty Trigger" and "Empty Action", as I sometimes don't add any other items until later, and you cannot save a macro unless it has at least 1 trigger and 1 action.

macrodroid Actually, it is possible to save empty macros that have nothing

 

[dhj49er]

macrodroid Actually, it is possible to save empty macros that have nothing

I'm on the latest beta and saving a macro without at least 1 trigger and at least 1 action is not possible, which I'm sure has always been required.

So how did you save a macro with no triggers and no actions?

 

[余川.]

I'm on the latest beta and saving a macro without at least 1 trigger and at least 1 action is not possible, which I'm sure has always been required.

So how did you save a macro with no triggers and no actions?

I am using the latest version 5.51.4, and macrodroid can always save empty macros After setting the macro name, press back, and then select save

 

[GiladB]

I don't think it's needed. I've been using MacroDroid for years and I never used it.
Often I want to start from the actions rather than the triggers, and jump between them.

I can also see how it may be easier to understand for beginners.

 

[Jacob L]

Looks like it saved ~100mb removing it!

 

[dhj49er]

Looks like it saved ~100mb removing it!

Interesting statement....
The size of each of the v5.51 beta with the add macro wizard included was 57 MB
The size of the v5.52.0 beta with the add macro wizard removed is 58 MB

 

[Endercraft]

I guess @Jacob L meant kb because I don't see any real difference.

 

[Jacob L]

I guess @Jacob L meant kb because I don't see any real difference.

I meant mb