Observations so far

[Rick Fitzsimmons]

...and a couple more usability observations:

Thin client log-on dialog loses focus when the mouse pointer moves off 
it. This confused my daughter when she tried it. Click in username box, 
move mouse out of the way, type username - nothing. Had to show her to 
keep the mouse pointer in the box. Not a major issue but a potential 
irritation to normal (ex Windows) users.
Also, there's no shutdown option for the client. Unless I've missed 
something, you have to force power off with the power button. That's 
something I try to train people NOT to do.

I understand client keyboard localisation is on the way...

Cheers,
Rick.



Rick Fitzsimmons wrote:
> Here are some thoughts and ramblings from my testing thus far. I've 
> played around with the preview release, and currently the 20050921 daily 
> build. Before I say any more, I must say that I'm well impressed with 
> what's been achieved. I hope my comments below will be seen as 
> "constructive criticism", and not just moans.
> 
> Installation:
> -------------
> Generally feels good. Just the IP address and associated dhcpd.conf 
> building needs to be fixed. Still displays message saying "If you see 
> this template you've found a bug". Maybe the installation could present 
> both the IP and dhcpd.conf settings together - seeded with pre-set 
> values for everything and allowing manual edit for those who know what 
> they want.
> 
> I think an option to select PXE or Etherboot would be useful. Otherwise 
> a post-install message to warn the user to set up Etherboot if it's 
> needed (which it will be for older thin client boxes).
> 
> Usage:
> ------
> khelpcenter seems to be missing, so no help for kde apps. (Installed OK 
> with synaptic, but surely should be there by default.) Most target users 
> won't know anything about most of the apps, so help is essential.
> 
> It's not clear from the menu what most of the apps actually are. This 
> will not gain us any friends among potential users! And where there is 
> help, it's not really user friendly. KTurtle is "A KDE Logo programming 
> environment". Most users won't know (or care) what KDE means, nor what's 
> meant by environment. And as for Kig...
> 
> There doesn't seem to be sample data to go with the apps. So e.g. KTouch 
> says "No training lecture loaded", but when you go to load one, there 
> aren't any. Presumably not just an Edubuntu issue, but this will not 
> help our cause. Maybe we need to generate some Edubuntu-themed content 
> for some of the apps?
> 
> Thin client seems very responsive on a 100MBit network, although 
> start-up and log-on seem slow. (My recollection of LTSP4 was that it got 
> going a lot quicker).
> 
> Thin client currently lacks sound, but still has the "Sound & Video" 
> section in the menu. OK, I know that menu configuration is set for 
> breezy+1, but I do feel uneasy about inviting thin client users to try 
> sound and video applications. Similarly, the thin client desktop still 
> has a volume control.
> 
> That's enough for now. I'll let my children loose on it next...
> 
> Cheers,
> Rick.
> 
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