Some thoughts about xubuntu hardy

[jmak]

On 11/7/07, Vincent <imnotb at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> On 06/11/2007, jmak <jozmak at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hello all,
> > <snip>
> > In this spirit of radicalness let me propose a few ideas relating to
> > xubuntu next release. The most radical among these  would be the
> > suggestion of changing the current gnome layout back to the original
> > xfce layout. This is why. The two panels layout is a usability
> > disaster for older machines with small monitor size. It doesn't
> > optimize but rather restricts the availability of valuable
> > screen-space. The two oversized panels simply takes up too much
> > precious screen estate that users of older computers would like to
> > utilize to the fullest. Furthermore, copying the gnome layout prevents
> > xubuntu to develop a healthy personality, which is a fundamental
> > requirement for a brand. It is like in real life, you are original
> > when you are yourself, as soon as you try to imitate someone else you
> > become a fake. In addition, the traditional layout is much more
> > pleasing, but this is a matter of preference. It is my experience that
> > new users, when they have choices, always prefer the traditional
> > layout to the gnome mimic.
>
> From a usability point of view this is a disaster. Well, not a disaster, but
> not optimal too. The screen corners are the areas that are clicked most
> easily, so not placing anything there is terrible. A panel ought to be full
> width to at least be able to put e.g. the applications menu and a "Show
> desktop" button in the corners. I could agree with the top panel being
> removed because then you use the hot corner in the top right-hand side for
> the close button of windows, but a panel that is not full width is terrible.
> Furthermore, IMHO it looks weird, when you have a window open to be able to
> view the desktop.
>
> I do really think that, even if the panels were to be kept, they should be
> decreased in size. 34px is *way* too large. I think 26px would be fine,
> perhaps a bit larger to be safe.
>
> Also, I don't think we should change it "just to be different". This layout
> has been researched, thought has been put into it, and it's not just
> something pretty, it's something that's useful. I mean, the whole WIMP
> concept is something other OS's use, so should we abandon it to keep
> Xubuntu's own identity? Of course not, it's what users are used to and what
> many like. Personally, I have not seen that many Xubuntu screenshots where
> the panel layout was customized, even though the makers of those screenshots
> did customize their machine - e.g. decrease the panel size, change GTK

Look at this nicely themed Mint panel.
http://www.linuxmint.com/pictures/screenshots/daryna/xfce/desktop.png

>
> > <snip>
> >
> > Notice the themed panel. It is medium gray, from the usability point
> > of view make more sense than using the contrasty white. It provides a
> > more appropriate background for the application launchers.
>
> Gray *is* considered ugly by most people, but on the other hand, what you
> did with Gutsy was awesome, so I'll trust you one this one ;-)
>
> > As the ubuntu people said, Hardy would be all about polish and usability.
> >
> > In the spirit of the above, I am proposing the following items to be
> > considered for xubuntu Hardy. Some of the proposals require subtle
> > fine-tunings but they are necessary to develop a consistent and
> > polished look and feel.
> >
> > The list.
> >
> > 1) Let's go back to the original xfce panel layout.
>
> See my comments above.
>
> > 2) Let's theme the panel
>
> How are they not now?
>
> > 3) Add new icon theme-NuoveXT, the one we already agreed upon during
> > feisty phase.
>
> Yeah, it's time that gets in ;-)
>
> > 4) Take out the icon label backgrounds. They are distracting and are
> > usability anomalies. And ugly too.
>
> The problem with that would be that the labels might become unreadable once
> a user customizes his background. This is a problem because there is no easy
> graphical way to bring back the icon label backgrounds and to set its
> colour, and since Linux is also for a big part about customizability, users
> *will* want to change at least their desktop backgrounds.
>
> > 5) New gdm.
>
> Sure :)
>
> > 6) New usplash--let see how is the new usplash re-write program will
> > affect the artworks' parameters.
>
> /me hopes it will make the boot more unified, without flashing.
>
> > 7) New wallpaper
>
> Cool :)
>
> > 8) Keep the current murrina theme for the time being; however, if the
> > ubuntu people come up with better ones we might consider switching.
> > Look at some of the ubuntu proposals below, they are really great.
>
> The current one has received many positive comments. The Ubuntu proposals
> may be cool, but I think this affects "Xubuntu's own identity" much more
> than the panel layout.
>
> > 9) Customize the Gimp splash screen like ubuntu developers are
> > planning. I already suggested this a couple of releases ago but then
> > it was ignored. I still have the artwork, which can be implemented
> > now.
>
> It wasn't ignored, it's just not possible since we use the same package as
> Ubuntu so we have to use their splash.
> > <snip>
> >
> > jmak
> >
>
> Best,
>
> --
> Vincent
> --
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> xubuntu-devel at lists.ubuntu.com
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>
>


-- 
http://jozmak.blogspot.com/