>> But most of them do have a more or less technical background. The users I am >> thinking about are really native end users. Ubuntu has very many users and it's polished easy-to-use interface does not target technical proficiency. The problem is contacting the users - perhaps a survey concerning the design of nm-applet could be held on the ubuntu forums. Furthermore ubuntu just implemented a complete interface redesign after a lengthy evaluation of many individual components and applications. I'm sure you could find someone on one of the ubuntu teams to provide a much more professional design evaluation of nm-applet.
>> Despite the fact that the line is not left-aligned, is not active-colored, >> and not bold? I also felt that the dividing line was a logical separation between interfaces. However I like the layout and I think a few tweaks can vastly improve the appearance of the current applet. Title -> "Wired Networks" -> "Wireless Networks" . Should strike as the largest, foremost element - Font is not the darkest color - Font is not the largest * The title font is either the same size or smaller than the "Available" font in the divider. However, the boldness of the title font gives it a "squished" appearance that makes it look smaller. Divider --------- "Available" ---------------- . Experiment completely discarding the divider, or perhaps replacing it with a larger line spacing between the connected and disconnected networks - no more than a half-space though. - At the very least shrink the "Available" font and if possible shorten the right spur of the dividing line while maintaining a left-alignment. Disconnect Option . Since the disconnect option is currently placed directly beneath the connected network and not at the bottom of the network interface category ("Wireless"|"Wired") I am given the feeling that this option is connection-specific. After all, it could be possible to have multiple VPN or Wireless? network connections. From this premise I suggest the disconnect option: . Should be a smaller font . Should be indented . Should be demarcated with an indentation decoration, possibly the unicode arrow (U+21AA) or if unicode is unavailable, substituted with a transparent image Network List . Currently the list is two-column: a left-aligned network name and a right aligned image representing wireless network strength. . If the above suggestions do not create a clear enough distinction between connected and disconnected networks, consider replacing with a three-columned list: - left-aligned bullet/asterisk signifying connected networks. Left-aligned network name. Right-aligned network icon. VPN connections . I have yet to create VPNs through network manager, but once I created I assume they would be given a _______________________________________________ NetworkManager-list mailing list NetworkManager-list@gnome.org http://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/networkmanager-list