[ubuntu-art] Fluid Boot Experience

[John Baer]

> > On Mon, 2009-11-16 at 15:37 -0600, Jonathan Blackhall wrote:
> >> So I got to thinking about the boot experience today and I was
> >> wondering if anyone had any comments on this.
> >>
> >> First, I think a successful default booting sequence should have 3
> >> characteristics that are currently not implemented. ?1. GRUB2 menu
> be
> >> hidden on all machines by default and the usplash image load
> >> immediately and have it include a small message saying "Press Esc
> for
> >> more boot options" or something to load the GRUB2 menu. ?2.The
> >> transition between usplash and xsplash should be smooth. ?3. The
> >> startup sounds would be refreshed and shortened. ?Possibly 4. Make
> >> sure the transition between xsplash - log in screen - xsplash again
> is
> >> smooth as well.
> >>
> >> You know what would be a really excellent way to mash-up all this
> boot
> >> stuff? ?Take the current usplash (just a white Ubuntu logo on a
> black
> >> background) and make the logo "explode" into MadsRH's Swarm
> animation
> >> (or a Humanized version) while having the rest of the xsplash
> elements
> >> (background gradient and Ubuntu name) fade in. ?For me, it would
> >> really make this whole boot sequence more integrated and slick.
> >>
> >> What I think would be a cool boot experience:
> >> -usplash Ubuntu logo appears with message saying "Press Esc for
> more
> >> boot options", message disappears after 3 sec, leaving Ubuntu logo
> >> -xsplash starts as same logo as usplash (no transition apparent to
> >> user), background gradient fades in, Ubuntu logo "explodes" into
> Swarm
> >> animation, the word "Ubuntu" appears above the Swarm
> >> -if your Log In screen enabled, transition to it (perhaps have the
> >> Swarm re-form an Ubuntu logo next to the word "Ubuntu"??) and have
> the
> >> remaining Log In stuff appear
> >> -Some other quick animation between Log In and a fully loaded
> desktop
> >> (maybe?), play a 1-2 sec subtle (unobtrusive) startup sound
> >> -All of that in 20 sec or less on a "normal" laptop without an SSD
> >>
> >> Do you think that type of boot experience is possible? ?Is it
> >> desirable? ?What would you change?
> >>
> >> Of course this is all just fantasy, but I'm curious what people
> think
> >> would be a desirable boot experience. ?Do you have hope that your
> >> expectations will be met in Lucid?
> >>
> >> Cheers,
> >> J
> >
> > -1
> > MadsRH had other good ideas , but swarm wasnt the best one.
> > The swarm is too reminiscent of the windows7 orbs and also the swarm
> > just seems too aimless. they are not arising from some place nor are
> > they leading some where.
> >
> > --
> > Cheers,
> > mac_v
> 
> I like the idea of something like swarm, but as fireflies in a grassy
> field, and a new firefly would pop up once a new proc has been
> init'd...
> 
> -Chris 

Like you I've been thinking about the boot experience. IMO I believe
Ubuntu presents well and if I had to pick a second choice it would
either be Mint or openSuSE.

The Jaunty or openSuSE bar design works well because if the bar stops
progressing for a moment its no big deal. Other more active designs
don't do as well.

One key issue is Ubuntu boots so quickly (and keeps getting faster)
there is not a lot of time to present an animation. I almost believe no
animation would work as well with these really fast boot times.

Another issue is what technology is available, when. I don't know when X
become available during the boot process but I see this being important
as it further reduces the animation time.

The one thing I would do to the current boot experience is square up the
logo. On my wide screen it looks stretched until X comes on line. Its
funny as I'm sure the same issue exists with Mint but with a square logo
its not noticeable.

A simple but effective boot experience is OSX (white logo & bar on a
black screen).

Cheers