Ubuntu usability is significantly decreased with Unity

[Jo-Erlend Schinstad]

Den 28. des. 2011 20:40, skrev Nenad Lecek:
> Dear all,
>
> as I don't know where to put my comments about Ubuntu 11.10 usability, 
> I'm posting here. My apologies if this is not the right place, and I'd 
> be grateful if you point me where to post my comment.
>

This list is ok to use for discussions about the desktop, but you should 
back up your claims with facts. It is not a fact that Unity doesn't 
serve users well. It serves me well, for instance. Claiming that Ubuntu 
is no longer user friendly because you don't like one of the 
applications it provides, is pure nonsense.

> Some reasons are explained below. This is not a full list, just the 
> key points.
>
> 1) Appearing/disappearing left side toolbar doesn't bring anything 
> compared to Gnome Classic Ubuntu desktop and menu. Why? Simply put if 
> you know that you have couple of menus where you programs are, this is 
> much better/faster than unnecessary dynamic/uncertainty which Unity 
> provides. BTW, Classic gnome desktop we had in previous Ubuntu 
> versions was really well structured. Unity doesn't provide that. 
> Personally, I do not see the point of promoting Unity as the only 
> desktop on Ubuntu, because classic gnome desktop was well structured 
> and good enough. Eventually, only search capability like in Unity 
> could have been added, although this functionality in Unity is far 
> from good, currently is just minor convenience.
>

Promoting Unity as the only desktop in Ubuntu would be a lie. Who is 
doing that? The idea that "classic gnome desktop", which is called Gnome 
Panel, by the way, is no longer available in Ubuntu, is a misconception. 
It's still there.

> 2) The application menu is shown in main menu toolbar. This is 
> annoying at best, and from usability point of view very it is a really 
> poor choice. Why is considered good to force the user to search where 
> the menu for her/his application is.

You're claiming that you now have to search for the menu because it's 
always at the same place? That doesn't make sense to me. In any case, 
you can disable the global menu if you prefer it that way.

> 3) Performance consideration: seems so that Unity eats performance and 
> batteries on laptops. Again, no value in service it provides in return.
>

Of all the components in Ubuntu, you just assume that Unity somehow 
reduces performance? Correlation does not imply causation. I see no 
reason why Unity would impact performance in any way.

> 4) Search applications capability in Unity is really poorly designed 
> and of limited usage. In some cases, you almost have to know exact 
> name so that application you are searching for could be found. In 
> others searching application itself has confusing, complex user 
> interface. This could have been done much better.
>

If you can do better, then do so, or at least explain how. You don't 
even provide an example so that others can understand your problem.

> Finally, my proposal is to return to classic gnome desktop as default 
> Ubuntu desktop.
> In addition, if new fancy user interface is for whatever reason 
> needed, one can keep improving alternative user interface designs 
> until one of them reach maturity needed for such broad user base. And 
> make it optional, not mandatory.

Unity has never been mandatory in Ubuntu. It's extremely unlikely that 
it will ever be. Gnome Panel is still around if you want to improve it.

> For example, in case main menu taskbar of classic gnome desktop 
> contains the short, google like edit line for entering search 
> expression for finding application, the Unity will be completely 
> unnecessary. Simple as that.
>
Google searches public information. Unity scopes searches your personal 
information and online information. Completely different things. I would 
not want to give Google direct access to my personal computer in order 
to search for things. Unity is not primarily a look. It is primarily an 
infrastructure that enables applications to connect to the system. Parts 
of Unity is implemented for both Windows, LXDE and Xfce, for instance. 
The components will look different in KDE and Xfce, since they're 
different desktops.

You seem to have many questions, but you formulate them as accusations 
and unsubstantiated claims instead. It is not an effective way of 
attaining information. In fact, you're reducing the likelihood that 
people will be willing to help you.

Jo-Erlend Schinstad
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-desktop/attachments/20111228/530c97fa/attachment.html>