Kenneth Wimer wrote: > On Tuesday 05 February 2008 15:52:38 Webmaster, Jhnet.co.uk wrote: > >> "I also think the addition of the power off button on the main bar is also >> silly >> for the same reasons - your only ever going to use it max once per >> session." No, it is something very valuable, though only really on mobile >> or public systems: when I am using my laptop it allows me to quickly throw >> it in to suspend or lock the screen when I walk away. It is something that >> I have found many users come to love once they get used to it being there >> (for the most part the ability to lock, suspend or switch user is handy >> (especially in a school-like or family environment). While the user >> switcher is probably necessary I do feel the power button is a worth while >> addition, especially given that we are taking up a solid 24 odd pixels of >> the users screen that, lets face it, do very little more than provide a >> launcher, clock and status items. (I am not debating the need for the top >> panel, things definitely become crowded all squashed into the bottom, but >> this area should be utilized better.) >> >> "As an example from Windows XP, the 'new style' Start box has on the left >> hand side a list of your most commonly used applications. I've set it >> to display 12 at once and you can pin items to it permanently. As a >> result if you use an app more than a couple of times in future is never >> more than two clicks away with no need to scan a list for it." >> I agree this is definitely a useful function that would be nice to see >> however given how well organized a typical gnome Applications menu is >> compared to a windows all programs menu (without any user intervention) it >> becomes less important. While teaching basic computing skills to elderly >> people (I run classes for a charity called Age Concern) I find that many >> are confused as to why their programs sometimes appear in the frequently >> used list, why they move and why all the programs they need are not there. >> In this scenario, well named and *subject categorized* (not manufacturer or >> application suite organized) programs lists are a generally good idea. What >> would be nice is a way of making it more obvious that they can add their >> own applications to the top bar to allow single click access to them and to >> make use of the space there rather than ending up like windows' quick >> launch that many people do not realize can actually be added to. >> >> Just some thoughts >> >> On 04/02/2008, Andrew Laignel <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >>> I totally agree with this. >>> >>> Only functions that are used on an extremely regular basis should have >>> an icon on the desktop. I do like the way Ubuntu has a 'places' menu >>> along with 'applications' as if your going to do something then it's >>> either going to involve a) opening a file or b) running a program >>> though, but too many icons just leads to clutter and creates confusion. >>> >>> I'd go as far as to say that I seriously doubt more than 80% of the >>> general population, if exposed to Ubuntu, would ever use the button. It >>> really shouldn't be there as it doesn't deserve the prominence. I also >>> think the addition of the power off button on the main bar is also silly >>> for the same reasons - your only ever going to use it max once per >>> session. >>> >>> I think the power button position is a response to the anti-MS trolling >>> of 'You have to click Start to shut down, lol' which is a ridiculous >>> complaint. From a usability point of view calling the button 'Start' >>> and making it an entirely different colour draws the attention of the >>> users to it. Metaphorically it means 'Start doing things here'. >>> >>> Real attention I think should be paid to the Gnome UI layout. As far as >>> I know it is exactly the same as upstream Gnome and I have seen no >>> significant changes or improvements since Warty. There are many ways it >>> can be improved upon to streamline workflow, save space and improve >>> usability. Since Ubuntu is 'Linux for human beings' I believe this >>> should be given a top priority as user experience is key to retaining >>> your userbase. >>> >>> As an example from Windows XP, the 'new style' Start box has on the left >>> hand side a list of your most commonly used applications. I've set it >>> to display 12 at once and you can pin items to it permanently. As a >>> result if you use an app more than a couple of times in future is never >>> more than two clicks away with no need to scan a list for it. >>> >>> Gnome at the moment still has functionality akin to Windows 98 and I >>> feel virtually all the effort is on either dealing with bugs or adding >>> new software with seemingly virtually no focus from the Ubuntu camp at >>> improving Gnome significantly. >>> >>> I am working on a few potential UI improvement mockups but I am rather >>> busy these days. I believe that the system GUI is one of the most >>> important aspects of an OS, and if given sufficient love it would help >>> pull Linux into the mainstream. Users care about looks and usability >>> far more than stability and freedom. >>> >>> Although this is Ubuntu Artwork, I do think Usability should be given a >>> top priority, or even it's own list (it deserves it!). >>> >>> Sumit Chandra Agarwal wrote: >>> >>>> I'm not sure if this is quite on-topic for the art list, but it has to >>>> do with visual presentation so I thought I'd try here first: >>>> >>>> As it is the top panel in Ubuntu is as cluttered or more cluttered than >>>> Windows or Mac desktops, with the addition of another panel at the >>>> bottom. One item that is significant taking up a lot of space on the >>>> upper panel is the fast user switching applet, which manifests itself >>>> as text showing the current user name. >>>> >>>> This is a great feature. However, I would *guess* that for greater than >>>> 50% of Ubuntu users this is unnecessary as they are using the machine >>>> as a *personal* computer and as such they are the only user registered >>>> on the system. This makes the applet pointless and it only adds to >>>> clutter and eating away at space. >>>> >>>> Could Ubuntu be configured to intelligently only add the applet if >>>> there is more than one user registered to the system? >>>> >>>> Sorry if this is off-topic, >>>> -Sumit > > I think that this thread would feel more love on ubuntu-desktop than it will > get on ubuntu-art ;-) > > -- > Ken
I was thinking that as well as they will need to be involved but I think cross-posting will be best. I think ideas for UI will start with the art guys but will need the -desktop team for the technicals. Things like panel layout or other apps on the desktop will most likely come from us where as the -desktop team seems to mostly make sure things work and or control new apps that make the default install. It will most likely require many people/lists to be involved actually as major UI changes can have issues well beyond "It looks cool this way". So maybe a section on the wiki and chat here for UI layout ideas for Hardy+1 is in order for now? -Cory \m/ -- ubuntu-art mailing list [email protected] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-art
