Andrew Lentvorski wrote:
DJA wrote:
In this case, after having followed the thread, I have to side with
Linus on this one. Simplicity and flexibility are two different, yet
un-opposing concepts. Gnome has sacrificed flexibility, and thus a more
universal appeal, by imposing simplicity and elegance as opposed to
functionality and flexibility as its guiding principles.
I'm not convinced your statement is correct and most of the UI research
seems to back me up.
My opinion is that most UI research is about as scientific as Phrenology
[1]: Given a virtually limitless number of factors influencing human
behavior, we'll look at the first sixteen people who'll sit long enough,
and form our opinion of the inclinations of all humanity, on the basis
of what we think the individual Idiosyncrasies of these few people mean.
Does UI research say that the majority of people read left to right, top
to bottom, using a Latin alphabet? Was there a universal demand for the
mouse? Title bars on top, side, bottom? Is there a universal expectation
regarding colors? Menu options? Cursor focus? Icons vs. text-only
toolbars (icons with text above, next to, or below?)?
Is the popularity of the GUI a result of universal appeal, or because
it is set as the default, if not only, interface option by the makers of
the most-used computer operating environments?
Flexibility != more universal appeal.
The majority of people prefer a simpler interface with more obvious
choices. Even I fall into that camp.
-a
Simple != more universal appeal.
The majority of people prefer things to work in a way which is more
comfortable and reasonable to _them_ (i.e. simpler for them to
understand), which is not necessarily the way the arbitrary designer
insists is better, based on his studies of someone else's preferences
[2]. I suspect even you fall into that camp.
Given that, what happens when you are presented with a UI design which
does not appeal to you? How do you feel when you are given few to no
options to modify the aspects of that design to those of your own liking?
I know how I felt in that situation. And what I did about is was to
switch from Gnome to KDE. If and when Gnome offers me a more comfortable
interface than KDE, I may switch back.
---------
[1] I was tempted to use a more contemporary example of bogus science
but decided against starting a flame war on an unrelated hot button
topic. To any Phrenologists in the audience, my apologies if I have
offended your sensibilities. Unscientific as they are. :-P
[2] Hopefully we can stick to computer interface designs here,
specifically relating to GUI vs. GUI and GUI vs. CLI, and not plane,
train or automobile designs.
--
Best Regards,
~DJA.
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