- openSUSE UX

Re: [opensuse-factory] Re: [opensuse-ux] Liberation fonts as default
by Bernhard Walle 22 Jun '07

22 Jun '07

* Stephan Kulow <coolo(a)novell.com> [2007-06-17 14:21]: > Am Saturday 16 June 2007 schrieb Stephan Binner: > > On Thursday 14 June 2007 06:02:29 Mohammad Bhuyan wrote: > > > I was thinking if the future distributions install them as default fonts > > > in Desktop and apps, then it will look good out of the box. > > > > What's wrong with DejaVu? Why has the default desktop to use MS metrics? I > > see sense for using it in office documents but desktop/application > > interfaces? > Because web sites are layout for these metrics. And web sites are an important > part of today's desktops. And what's the exact releationship between the desktop font and the default font in the browser? Thanks, Bernhard -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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Liberation fonts as default
by Mohammad Bhuyan 17 Jun '07

17 Jun '07

Hi all, Just installed Liberations Fonts (Red Hat) and changed KDE Desktop fonts to use them. I am not using sub pixel hinting and don't plan to use them due to MS patent over it. Now that there is an open replacement for MS fonts to distribute freely (I assume that is the point of Liberation fonts), I was thinking if the future distributions install them as default fonts in Desktop and apps, then it will look good out of the box. We must acknowledge the ubiquity of the proprietary Microsoft fonts. Lots of rants on the net is about people complaining how linux desktop looked ugly out of the box. gfx aside, I am sure we all know that the text in the screens is one key contribution to the user experience. Regards, -- Soyuz -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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Re: [opensuse-ux] Re: syntax versus semantics in UI
by Martin Schmidkunz 08 Jun '07

08 Jun '07

Am 06.06.2007, 19:48 Uhr, schrieb Juergen Weigert <jw(a)suse.de>: > This is another good example for Johannes' problem: Yes, but although we have different semantics represented by the same syntax it is obvious for the user what to do :-) This semantics/syntax thing makes sense for me, when the user is hindered to accomplish a task the most easiest way or if the user is in danger of making errors because he doesn`t know what to do. Cu, Martin -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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apparmor yast redesign - updated
by David Drewelow 06 Jun '07

06 Jun '07

http://en.opensuse.org/YaST/AppArmor/UI-Redesign This is probably the final version of the reporting forms redesign. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks, -David -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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Re: apparmor yast redesign - updated
by David Drewelow 06 Jun '07

06 Jun '07

Dominic Reynolds wrote: > Form: > > o Running Reports - Setting Filters - Profile Filters > > Whats the difference in behavior for "Select Access Type" and "Filter by > Mode"? They have the same options in the form. > > Also should we consider the present and future scope of mediation for AA? > > Currently we have: > * files (r,w,l,m,Px,px,Ux,ux,ix) > * POSIX capabilities > > Coming: > * network access controls (soonish - maybe 10.3) > * IPC controls (hopefully code11) > * rlimits (hopefully code11) > > With that scope in mind is it worth breaking the filter types into > individual tabs? Or does that make things too complex? > Hmm. Good point. That's going to be a nightmare for configuration. I was thinking of the NetDomain controls as separate, but obviously they're not. I think Tabs are the way to go here. More later. > o View Archived Reports - Choosing Reports > > This is mostly just enhancement request - in the table where we list the > file name and date time for existing reports. Would it be worthwhile to > do a little pre-processing to make the output list: > > --------------------------------------- > Report Type Date > > Audit Report 2007-05-14 13:45 > --------------------------------------- > > Not a huge deal really. > Believe it or not, not easy to do. It's a table, and you could do an ugly workaround of inserting spaces into item data, but I think that this is an issue with yast's record display. > > o Creating a Report > > For this form would it be usefull to use the tabbed UI again? Maybe > > -------------------------------------- > General/Recipients/Archiving > > General: > Name > Shcedule > > Recipients: > Email config > > Archiving: > Export type > Archive Locations > ------------------------------------ > > The QT form looks ok - but I've found the ncurses version (from previous > versions of aa) very hard to use. > Ah, I'll look into this. I didn't even think of Tabs, because it's a (relatively) simple form, but that's a good idea. More later... > Thanks for getting this redesign together - looks good. > > > -dom > Thanks, Dom. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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Re: syntax versus semantics in UI
by Martin Schmidkunz 06 Jun '07

06 Jun '07

Hi Johannes, hi all, Please don apologize for long answers. Although it took me some time to read it and more time to answer, I found it quite interesting to read and I think, you got many good points :-) > mixing syntax with semantics I was aware of the difference between syntax and semantics, I only doubt whether this difference is also clear to the user or to be more exact: at which experience level is the user able to distinguish between syntax and semantics? I would like to give you an answer on that, but I don't know it by myself :-( "What is really interesting" should definitly not be hidden. That's totally correct :-) The point is that "what is interesting" is different for each user group. Maybe we should start thinking about different design for our different user groups? I think the syntax vs. semantics discussion and your notion of the usability test showed also that we need to take care of the workflow to clean up the semantics side of life. One word regarding the term "consistency": when I talk about consistency I want to express that it is important that items that have the same semantics must look the same to avoid user confusion. I want to work on both, the consistency and the workflow side, but up to now I don't have a mandate for this. It is on my to do list to discuss this issue, but I am afraid I won't have any resources for this before autumn :-( The light switches vs. fire alarm buttons is an excellent example. If you look closely at the fire alarms you will also notice that putting a red frame around the button is not sufficient to protect it from misuses: usually it is hidden behind glass and you have an additional explanation message. Which can be taken as a proof, that different semantics have to be explained to the user. Kind regards, Martin -- Martin Schmidkunz User Experience Specialist martin.schmidkunz(a)novell.com +49 (0) 911 740 53-346 ------------------------------------- SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, GF: Markus Rex, HRB 16746 (AG Nürnberg) ------------------------------------- Novell, Inc. SUSE® Linux Enterprise 10 Your Linux is ready http://www.novell.com/linux -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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Very Disappointed
by member greenarrow1 01 Jun '07

01 Jun '07

After reading today about Novell just giving Microsoft advanced data on virtualization that us developers create without the possibility of other SUSE developers seeing it beforehand has turned me entirely against Novell, and SUSE. What Open Source stands for and my belief in freedom for software is why I was further developing the virtual desktop With the new kernel version which support virtual desktops and my working with it I have just completely deleted all I have done which was pointed towards SUSE because I do not want work I do to fall into the hands of Microsoft and being patented under their operating system. The reason why Microsoft pulled their virtual desktop is because they cannot get it to work and now I really believe that is one of their main reasons to team up with Novell to steal our ideas and place it within proprietary code. I will not do work that is going to benefit any company that restricts what one can do on their computer. I am sorry to say this as I have been with SUSE from 8.1 and watched it develop to what it is today but will not stand by and watch a monopolistic company like Microsoft ruin us or take over SUSE with Novell's help. And, please do not flame me as I was once a developer for Microsoft so I do know their inner workings. George greenarrow1 InNetInvestigations-Forensic SuSe 10.2/TriStar/Apache GoBoLinux -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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Re: [Fwd: [opensuse-ux] UI redesign - AppArmor reporting]
by Martin Schmidkunz 25 May '07

25 May '07

Hi, > I'm looking for suggestions and feedback about the apparmor reporting > UI. The plan is to completely redo the report > scheduling form (the "start" page of the reporting module). That sounds like a cool idea! I think that for doing proper suggestions for redesigning the apparmor reporting module one of us within the UX-team needs the time, to understand the functions of the current module. I will ask for resources on our next team meeting on Wednesday evening (CET time) and let you know afterwards. Cu, Martin -- Martin Schmidkunz User Experience Specialist martin.schmidkunz(a)novell.com +49 (0) 911 740 53-346 ------------------------------------- SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, GF: Markus Rex, HRB 16746 (AG Nürnberg) ------------------------------------- Novell, Inc. SUSE® Linux Enterprise 10 Your Linux is ready http://www.novell.com/linux -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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syntax versus semantics in UI
by Johannes Meixner 25 May '07

25 May '07

Hello, I have a general question if there exist solutions how to show semantics regarding user input via UI. I know how to show syntax regarding user input via UI, e.g.: - show several checkboxes for several binary (on/off) values which can be set "on" or "off" independent of each other - show radio buttons for several binary (on/off) values where only one of them can be "on" - show a list of predefined values if only this values are correct input - show a text input field for an arbitrary input value I don't know how to show semantics regarding user input via UI. Example: a) for one kind of input values the user is free to choose what he likes because any choice would work b) for other kind of input values the user is not free to choose what he likes because only the right choice would work Is there a solution how to show this kind of semantics regarding user input via the UI? Simple real-world examples are: 1) Password input: A password is an arbitrary input value so that a text input field is shown in the UI. But the semantics is different if - a new password is to be set => case a) above - the system asks the user for his password => case b) above 2) Printer specific option settings: Specify the printing resolution versus specify the media size: Both values can be choosen from a list of possible values e.g. Resolution: 300dpi, 600dpi, 1200dpi (the supported resolutions of the printer driver) Media Size: A4, A5, Letter, Legal (the supported media sizes of the printer driver) The syntax is the same for resolution and media size but the semantics is different because - any choice of the resolution works => case a) above - only the media size which is actually in the printer works => case b) above You might think that this is no UX/UI problem at all because it is obvious for any normal user if the semantics is of type a) or b). This is true for my simple examples above but in general it isn't, see this snippet from a mail: -------------------------------------------------------------- > > Why did you acitvate the filtering when you want to set up > > a raw queue? Filtering is exactly the opposite of "raw". ... > Reading this setting in the YAST module, I thought it was > more a choice: do you want the filtering done on the > server side or on the client side. It is a choice but it is not a choice where you are free to select whatever you like - it is a choice where you must choose the right setting which works in your particular environment. -------------------------------------------------------------- In the YaST printer config we have two checkboxes [ ] Share Printer [ ] Do Local Filtering where the first one is of type a) but the second one is type b) but there is nothing in the UI which indicates this difference and this difference is no longer obvious to any normal user. Kind Regards Johannes Meixner -- SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, Maxfeldstrasse 5, 90409 Nuernberg, Germany AG Nuernberg, HRB 16746, GF: Markus Rex -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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Request for icons for updater applet
by Joerg Kress 25 May '07

25 May '07

Hello everyone! NOTE: Cross-posted as this involves both teams, IMHO. We have a need for icons for the updater applet for both GNOME and KDE. The current icons have certain limitations in areas of usability and accessibility. Please refer to bug 246157 [1] for an example. I have made some proposals in the wiki [2]. One might also check the parent page [3], which also holds the current icons. Currently we have 4 icons, based on a blue dot with a small label on the bottom right. Each label indicates a certain state: * Red: Error occured * Yellow: Updates available * Striped(Yellow/Black): Checking for Updates * Green: No updates We want to have another state: "Applying Updates", which could be merged with "Checking for updates" into "Updater working/Busy" So, UX teams should verify which states need distinguishing from a usability perspective and artworkers should then find a usable and accessible solution. Links: [1]: https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=246157 [2]: http://en.opensuse.org/Updater_applet/Icon_proposals [3]: http://en.opensuse.org/Updater_Applet Thanks in advance! Josh -- Jörg Kreß <jkress(a)suse.de> YaST2 Development _________________________________________________________________ SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, GF: Markus Rex, HRB 16746 (AG Nürnberg) -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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UI redesign - AppArmor reporting
by David Drewelow 24 May '07

24 May '07

Hi, I'm looking for suggestions and feedback about the apparmor reporting UI. The plan is to completely redo the report scheduling form (the "start" page of the reporting module). Some other reporting forms will get minor changes, mostly to fix yast style bugs. It was suggested that I model the form after the new tabbed printer configuation form, and I'll be adding a mockup for that soon. This link shows the currently used forms, and some ideas for the new scheduling form. The new work is near the bottom (Report Scheduling Redesign). http://en.opensuse.org/YaST/AppArmor/UI-Redesign Thanks, -David -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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Re: [opensuse-ux] Installer UX Ideas.
by Brian Imhausen 22 May '07

22 May '07

If we transition to a "live" installation, could we give the option for desktop environment at boot (or soon thereafter) and give the user the option of running either of the desktops live? That way, they can play with either one without installing it to their machine and if they don't like the one they chose, they can reboot and try the other... this is assuming there is space on the installer cd/dvd for both pieces of software. Maybe distinct desktop installer cd images (a la Mandriva) and a unified dvd image which presents the user with an option before running the live environment? The description of each desktop's functionality could appear on a page for downloading the installer media... could the installer then be made to only offer the user a choice of desktop (along with appropriate descriptions) if more than one environment is available on the source media? Brian "Multiple graphical desktop environments are available for Linux - KDE and GNOME are the most popular. openSUSE offers a choice of both. Both will cover your basic needs. Which one suits you best is a matter of personal taste and wants." -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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partitioner
by Martin Schmidkunz 22 May '07

22 May '07

Hi, after agreeing with you many times, that our partitioning module needs some facelift, I have created some mockups how this could look like: http://en.opensuse.org/UX/Partitioner The module would be divided into two tabs: * basic partitioning * Logical Volumes (maybe Logical Volumes Management (LVM) would be more appropriate) The "basic partitioning" tab provides: * An overview table with informations about hard discs and their partitions (as far as I understood Ihno there are plans to exchange the device names (hda, hdb) with the device ID, so I try to do this already in this mockup) * search for hard discs (might be cool for environments with lots of hard discs) * filter to display e.g. only active hard discs * an action area in the second half of the module where the user can work on the partitions without having to click an extra add/edit/delete button; the current mock-up shows the action area when the user clicks on an unallocated disc space. I thought about displaing a graphical overview, but I rejected that idea for the following reasons: * no additional information to the table overview * might be suitable for desktop environments but not in an environment where there are many partitions to manage which can be formated with many different file systems * the target audience (sys admins) prefer numbers to graphics * useless in textmode * needs quite a lot of space I think, that most of the mock-up should be instantly clear, I just want to mention some points: * hdd activation: to activate a hdd the user has to display an deactivated device and then mark the check box in the overview * partitioning schemes: came up in a discussion and should ease the deployment of partitions for ** unexperienced users as they can choose from different schemes (e.g. 3 linux partitions with equal size) ** experienced users as they don`t have to do the same work over and over again but can customize a scheme and then apply it. * dynamic resizing: came up in a discussion and means: if unallocated disc space is available and the partition is quite full it aquires needed disc space automatically. * Delete partition: the user needs to set the size of the partition on 0 MB. LVM part: * the basic workflow of creating a LV is: ** create a physical volume ** create a volume group ** create a logical volume (linear, stripe, mirroring, snapshot) ** format logical volume ** set mount point ** mount it On the first start of the LVM-tab there will come up a pop-up, which offers the user some help and explanation around the LV topic. This pop-up will have a "don`t show this dialog again"-button. The tab is devided into two sections * physical volumes * logical volumes In each section the user can create/edit/delete the corresponding volume type. Not a killer design, but it seems to me the easiest way to present this topic. So, what do you think? Enjoy, Martin -- Martin Schmidkunz User Experience Specialist martin.schmidkunz(a)novell.com +49 (0) 911 740 53-346 ------------------------------------- SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, GF: Markus Rex, HRB 16746 (AG Nürnberg) ------------------------------------- Novell, Inc. SUSE® Linux Enterprise 10 Your Linux is ready http://www.novell.com/linux -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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Installer UX Ideas.
by Jyllian Marie Thibodeau 18 May '07

18 May '07

I was talking with Brian about which information we'd like to collect from the usability tests, and anticipating the various personas that might come to take the test (and, eventually, possibly use the installer). One such persona involves a low-to-medium experience user who is typically a Windows user. This person may or may not have installed Windows or Linux in the past, but is most likely to depend on the system guessing sane defaults, and may hit a usability snag if they don't. This is fine, if the system does indeed guess correctly, the only involvement required (and likely the most complicated interaction they'll faced) from them during the install would probably be from the partitioner (which I know we're working to improve). The Windows installer in particular glosses over the partioning, as its default involves using your whole hard drive as a single partition. I was trying to figure out how to synergize the sort of supportive, generally-non-technical install that this person would need with the sort of hands-on, tiny-detail install that a more advanced user might need or want. One idea for a compromise I came up with would be a screen at the beginning of the install, with a series of checkboxes to choose those components that you wanted to use during the install. These components can range from "Tweak Hardware", or "Install Additional Packages" to "Set Theme" -- and, short of a disaster, only those options which are selected will be presented to the user. For a custom install option, we could even have some of the more likely ones pre-selected." I include "Set Theme", because, particularly for the nontechnical user, customization (which, in my opinion, also includes the smooth installation of additional software via a nice package management system, but this is a different issue) is a big part of what makes them feel like they "own" their system. The sooner a user feels "at home" after an installation, the better. Ideas? -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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Here to participate & My thoughts
by Mohammad Bhuyan 17 May '07

17 May '07

Rajko & Martin, Thanks for welcoming me. I am here to participate and do my part whatever way I can. I am aware of the ongoing improvement work and I am learning more about them so that I can participate. At this stage I am using OpenSUSE 10.2 on my laptop. My desktop box is going to be 10.2 (which was supposed to be by now :P ). Before opening my mouth I want to see 10.3 (virtualization?) in action so that I know whats the latest state. Should a user expect major changes in desktop experience on 10.3 from 10.2? Software Portal / Application Manager is really a cool concept. Once it works and well integrated into desktop workflow, this is going to remove the major pain of desktop management. I can't wait to see it working. As I said, I am yet to know more to make useful comment. Here are some thoughts that may/may not make sense. As our desktops are more connected than ever, it is a frequent practice of an application to do something over the net and then ask for user notification/intervention. Common example being notifying availability of updates, email etc. And with Googles model of online apps we are yet to see integrated model of desktop/online computing. As a result our system tray/panel is becoming a forest of icons with every application setting-up/registering its own method of doing online services integration. So I was thinking that it could be a good idea to develop an architecture where a single system component (lets call it System Agent) will provide a framework for applications to register it applet modules that will do the application specific online bits. The system agent will be presented in the Desktop UI in a clean and simple manner (a single icon in system tray) and the applications will provide a mostly uniform (yet application specific) event notification / user intervention request to the user. This system will also help the underlying OS to notify / interact to the user. So starting from daemons, kernel modules, email arrival, software update ... any event / notification communicated to user through a defined framework and hence most importantly with a consistent Look & Feel. The initial idea came to my mind as part of the Software Portal / Application Manager concept where I guess there would be an agent in my system which will check & notify me of availability of updates / new arrival. Then I thought why not a generic framework what more apps can use and provide a consistent look & feel. I am not sure if I could explain what I tried to. Please comment so I can clarify. I wanted to add more bits regarding some UI issues. I will take it slow :D. Also I will cover some in my other email in reply to Silviu. Regards, Mohammad -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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note: gnome main-menu
by Christian Jäger 15 May '07

15 May '07

Hello all, because it touches upon the subject of this ML, I wanted to give a notice that on opensuse-gnome there is a little discussion on usability-enhancement/redesign-proposal for gnome main-menu. Following bug-reports have also been posted: Bug 274817 - revamping the GNOME main menu layout to something simpler (https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=274817) Bug 274852: Merging gnome main menu's 'Documents' and 'Places'-tabs https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=274852 Bug 274868: integrating the application-browser into gnome main-menu https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=274868 Bug 274934: integrating control-center into gnome main menu https://bugzilla.novell.com/show_bug.cgi?id=274934 Thanks for your time. Greets, Chris -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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"user-experience" - the right perspective
by Mohammad Bhuyan 15 May '07

15 May '07

Hi, It feels good to see how the opensuse community is taking the right perspective on this topic of the usability of OpenSUSE. As a user who is trying to make the switch (not the first time), I will share some of my thoughts about my experience. I am recently trying to make a complete switch to Linux (again and as usual lots of hiccups). Every time I find it making a lots of progress in application stability and GUI capabilities. As I am a software engineer, I am also impressed about seeing the Kernel, X, Desktop Environment etc to morph into systems with designed architecture. I am here not to make complains about buggy codes all around. This is the easy part to fix. I want to emphasize on the part where "Desktop Linux" is just a nightmare compared to "Just Works" Windows. I spent the whole weekend on OpenSuSE Install and "make it work exercises" and at the end it was a broken install beyond fixing (or another few days of community email exchange to fix it). If it were windows I am sure with about 50 clicks, 5-7 list box selection and name/password typing of 30 min I would have had my box ready. Does it make Windows a better OS? NOPE!!. But It is a better "User Product". Why not? It "Just Works". You press button, it flashes a boring logo and then hola ..You with your mouse is ready to rule the world. Adding/Removing apps are AMAZING. Applications have VERY CONSISTENT look. So you most of the time know how to go about using the app and what specific windows/icon/text/menu means even if it is a application that you just installed to check out. You don't need to know about "Dependency" as, if there is something that the app I am trying to run requires then it will be taken care of instead of bothering you. I: May I have some water please? You: This involves a dependency on Mug/Bottle. Do you want to have that too? What the ...??!#!#$? I hope you see what my point is. In my early days of software engineering career, I was lucky to have a CEO who taught me a great deal about the concept "Productization". I came to learn to "code for end user". That's when I gave up showing "Initializing Inter process Communication subsystem ..." message in application startup / splash screen. They never care even if I am sending data to satellites, all they are waiting is for that stupid app UI so that they can start their work. My point being, I see Linux distributions full of amazing apps that are Code developed by programmers for programmers. Also many times the codes are "working code" that are "not productized". For example : Explain me how flashing 20/30 progress bar with downlaoding../parsing... messages help while I am adding installation source. As a engineer I can see clearly its a "developer testing" code that helps to see if download/parsing is going OK. How a end user will benefit from this messages. Also that flashing is annoying enough to nuke the programmers den. I can go all day long pointing out what I think are sins of User Experience commited in App UI, System customization, Desktop workflow, but this email was more about to appreciate the steps taken to focus on the hard part (getting a app that a user will like) than the easy part of writing few 100 lines of code to do something in a annoying way. Regards, Mohammad ------- Mohammad Bhuyan Software Engineer (R&D) -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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Project launch: openSUSE Software Portal / Application Manager
by Pascal Bleser 12 May '07

12 May '07

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 (sorry for the somewhat exhaustive list of recipients, just trying to spread the word and hunt for participants) We had our kickoff openSUSE Software Portal project meeting today. The goals are to provide the best possible end-user experience with regards to package installation/upgrading at large. The idea is to provide several software components and services: * a server backend that aggregates various kinds of information * a web client, including one-click installation (yast2-mpp) * a desktop client (GTK/Qt/YaST) More information about the project: http://en.opensuse.org/Software_Portal http://dev-loki.blogspot.com/2007/05/project-launch-opensuse-software-porta… Basic infrastructure is set up, so if you want to join the effort (any help is more than welcome), please subscribe to our mailing-list [1] We're definitely looking for Java/Python/YCP developers, web designers, artwork designers, and people with ideas, suggestions, and motivation. [1]http://forge.novell.com/mailman/listinfo/appinstaller-devel Please spread the word ;) cheers - -- -o) Pascal Bleser http://linux01.gwdg.de/~pbleser/ /\\ <pascal.bleser(a)skynet.be> <guru(a)unixtech.be> _\_v The more things change, the more they stay insane. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.5 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with SUSE - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFGRk8Hr3NMWliFcXcRAnufAJ9fU68sxeaKL8NoKKYWQRtuQKGRZQCdGHeU A/HjKGDtiVefXYQ9AjU6Kmg= =JH/6 -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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welcome
by Martin Schmidkunz 02 May '07

02 May '07

Hi, welcome to the ux-mailing list! As some of you may ask themselves, why we needed to change from usability to ux, which stands for user experience, here are some answers: We want to shift our focus from pure usability work, which basically means firefighting on existing products, towards the creation and redesign of our tools and applications. We (and many of you, too) recognized that some of our tools and applications haven't changed since the last years and might not always offer a pleasant experience to the user. So our purpose is to create a new experience for openSUSE. Besides that we will also continue with the usability work. But we will also discuss and present some design ideas. All our project will be available on http://en.opensuse.org/UX Let`s think big! Enjoy, Martin -- Martin Schmidkunz User Experience Specialist martin.schmidkunz(a)novell.com +49 (0) 911 740 53-346 ------------------------------------- SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, GF: Markus Rex, HRB 16746 (AG Nürnberg) ------------------------------------- Novell, Inc. SUSE® Linux Enterprise 10 Your Linux is ready http://www.novell.com/linux -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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partitioning and storage management
by Martin Schmidkunz 02 May '07

02 May '07

Hi everybody, we will change the UI of the YaST partitioning module. To fit the needs and goals of the different kinds of users we need to know about how people are managing their storages. I would be glad, if you would take the time and tell me briefly: * How many storages do you administer? * Which tasks do you perform when you administer your storages? * What application do you use to manage your storages? * What are the strengths of that application? * What are the weeknesses of that application? * What is important for you on an application of storage management? Thanks, Martin -- Martin Schmidkunz User Experience Specialist martin.schmidkunz(a)novell.com +49 (0) 911 740 53-346 ------------------------------------- SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, GF: Markus Rex, HRB 16746 (AG Nürnberg) ------------------------------------- Novell, Inc. SUSE® Linux Enterprise 10 Your Linux is ready http://www.novell.com/linux -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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moving
by Martin Schmidkunz 02 May '07

02 May '07

Hi, we have renamed the mailing list opensuse-usability to opensuse-ux(a)opensuse.org. The reason is that we want to discuss and present more than pure usability work to you. We also want to improve the current user experience with openSUSE. Enjoy, Martin -- Martin Schmidkunz User Experience Specialist martin.schmidkunz(a)novell.com +49 (0) 911 740 53-346 ------------------------------------- SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, GF: Markus Rex, HRB 16746 (AG Nürnberg) ------------------------------------- Novell, Inc. SUSE® Linux Enterprise 10 Your Linux is ready http://www.novell.com/linux -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-ux+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-ux+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] Renaming this list to opensuse-ux
by Henne Vogelsang 02 May '07

02 May '07

Hi, on request of our User eXperience team we are renaming this list to opensuse-ux(a)opensuse.org This will happen on Friday around noon CEST (04/27/07 10:00 GMT). Please update your mailsetup. Im sorry for any inconvenience this might cause. If you have questions about this ask me off list. Henne -- Henne Vogelsang, ml-admin http://lists.opensuse.org -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] yast2 printer mockup
by Michal Zugec 30 Apr '07

30 Apr '07

Hi all, I'd like to announce that we start to work on improve usability in YaST2 Printer module. Some screenshots are here: http://en.opensuse.org/YaST/Printer http://en.opensuse.org/YaST/Printer_add We already have some new ideas (thanks Johannes) so I will update screenshots ASAP. Any comments and ideas are invited. Bye, Michal -- Best Regards, Michal Zugec Software developer --------------------------------------------------------------------- SuSE CR, s.r.o. e-mail: mzugec(a)suse.cz Lihovarska 1060/12 tel: +420 284 028 960 190 00 Praha 9 fax: +420 296 542 374 Czech Republic http://www.suse.cz/ -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] Poor contrast in the scroll bar
by Silviu Marin-Caea 30 Apr '07

30 Apr '07

There is a problem with the KDE default theme, and also with the qtcurve style. There is not enough contrast between the scroll bar and the background (where the scroll bar slides). Very often I need to squint and look hard to see where the scroll bar is. The scroll bar needs to be easily visible because it offers indication of how long a page is and where I am reading it. I suggest making the background darker or making the scroll-bar blueish. I'll filed this as a bug in kde bug tracker http://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=144702 -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] network mockups once again
by Martin Schmidkunz 27 Apr '07

27 Apr '07

Hi there, during the weekend I rethought my network settings module mock-ups and made new ones. http://en.opensuse.org/YaST/Network_Card_Module The new mock-ups base on the following assumptions: * The goal of the module is to set up basic network settings * The following personas may use the module: ** Carla, a student, who uses openSUSE on his laptop and often needs to change between different configurations ** Mike, a sysadmin, who uses openSUSE in a network and needs to do a lot of configuration ** Thomas, a pupil, who uses openSUSE to connect himself to the internet via his network card. I draw the following conclusions: * Thomas doesn`t want to bother himself with the network settings, so he just hopes that the recommended settings are sufficient to allow him to connect his DSL modem * Mike is happy, that openSUSE offers him such a detailled configuration, but he doesn`t want to do the configuration all the time * Carla is a non-technical user, so she needs to switch between the profiles very easily. These conclusion imply: * the network settings should allow the user to use automatic IP address setup via DHCP and automatic DNS selection per default or maybe via a profile called "Broadband/DSL" or something * profiles can be easily applied and selected either to switch between different network settings to spare time while making a new one (no body likes to do nearly the same work twice and this reduces the amount of possible errors as well). What do you think about that concept? As always I am looking forward to your comments! Enjoy, Martin PS: Will, I will really try to talk to you this week about the Network Manager stuff :-) --------------- Martin Schmidkunz User Experience Specialist martin.schmidkunz(a)novell.com +49 (0) 911 740 53-346 Novell, Inc. SUSE® Linux Enterprise 10 Your Linux is ready http://www.novell.com/linux ------------------------------------- SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, GF: Markus Rex, HRB 16746 (AG Nürnberg) ------------------------------------- -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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Re: [opensuse-usability] network mockups once again
by Martin Schmidkunz 26 Apr '07

26 Apr '07

Hi Francis, thanks for your feedback :-) > * How exactly will the profiles work? I can see the usecase for when > you switch between locations and don't want to enter the same things, > but will a profile be compulsory to get things working? In my opinion it will. Apple is successful with this concept, so why won`t we be? :-) It shares two adavantages: * people don`t need a lot of experience to get their tasks done * nonetheless, we give the user the possibility to configure this profile according to his needs as well > * I'm not sure that it's instantly clear in > http://files.opensuse.org/opensuse/en/f/f6/Nw_settings_devices.png > that the 'Configure Network Card Device' button configures the > currently-selected item (since there is other options and text in > between it and the selection area). It has worked fine until now and it is used in other modules (e.g. sound cards or printer). But, I agree with you, that doesn`t necessarily mean that it is the best way :-) I played around with some possibilities: * have the "Configure Network Card" under the list: this makes it difficult for the user to locate the button as it is somewhat hidden between the two boxes. * having the "Configure Network Card" separated from the info box might mislead the user that "configure profile" will give him access to edit the interface name or the activation of the network card. If you have any other ideas or thoughts, just let me know :-) > I see part of the problem though: the configure profile button needs > to go below the profile selection part, and having one button above > the text and one below is messy. Hmm. Right :-) > On a more minor issue -- overuse of borders? There are dangers with > it; hm, Jimmac had a nice link somewhere I believe. Can anyone just pass it to me? Would be nice :-) Enjoy, Martin -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] yet another network card survey result
by Martin Schmidkunz 25 Apr '07

25 Apr '07

Hi everyone, you will find the results of our other survey about "How do our users deal with their network settings?" on http://en.opensuse.org/UX Please go to "Surveys" and "Explore user experiences". Thanks for participating and enjoy, Martin -- Martin Schmidkunz User Experience Specialist martin.schmidkunz(a)novell.com +49 (0) 911 740 53-346 ------------------------------------- SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, GF: Markus Rex, HRB 16746 (AG Nürnberg) ------------------------------------- Novell, Inc. SUSE® Linux Enterprise 10 Your Linux is ready http://www.novell.com/linux -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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Re: [opensuse-usability] network mockups once again
by Martin Schmidkunz 25 Apr '07

25 Apr '07

Stanislav Visnovsky schrieb: > What do you mean? We have only one tool - scpm and its 2 frontends - YaST and > SUMF with clear separation of roles. Ah, OK, so it was a misunderderstanding from my side. Sorry for confusing you! Enjoy, Martin -- Martin Schmidkunz User Experience Specialist martin.schmidkunz(a)novell.com +49 (0) 911 740 53-346 ------------------------------------- SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, GF: Markus Rex, HRB 16746 (AG Nürnberg) ------------------------------------- Novell, Inc. SUSE® Linux Enterprise 10 Your Linux is ready http://www.novell.com/linux -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] network card revisited
by Martin Schmidkunz 24 Apr '07

24 Apr '07

Hi, there is a new idea for editing addresses of a network card: http://en.opensuse.org/YaST/Network_Card_Module (it is in the mockup gallery beneath: "Editing addresses of a network card") The basic idea was to hide the setup possibilities people are not using very often (like: AUTOIP and DHCP+AUTOIP) in a combo box, which cleans up the design and decreases possible confusion of non-technical users. To avoid confusion for non-expert users there is currently the suggestion that the user has to enable additional addresses via a check box. I am looking forward to your comments! Enjoy, Martin -- Martin Schmidkunz User Experience Specialist martin.schmidkunz(a)novell.com +49 (0) 911 740 53-346 ------------------------------------- SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, GF: Markus Rex, HRB 16746 (AG Nürnberg) ------------------------------------- Novell, Inc. SUSE® Linux Enterprise 10 Your Linux is ready http://www.novell.com/linux -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] results network card survey part one
by Martin Schmidkunz 24 Apr '07

24 Apr '07

Hi, the results of our first small survey about network cards are available on: http://en.opensuse.org/UX You will find them in the surveys section at "Explore user experiences". Thanks for paricipating! Enjoy, Martin -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] yast network card module
by Martin Schmidkunz 23 Apr '07

23 Apr '07

Hi everybody, in order to provide the current nework card module with a clear and easy structure we have done some redesign for openSUSE 10.3. Please see http://en.opensuse.org/YaST/Network_Card_Module for details. I am looking forward to your comments! Cu, Martin -- Martin Schmidkunz User Experience Specialist martin.schmidkunz(a)novell.com +49 (0) 911 740 53-346 ------------------------------------- SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, GF: Markus Rex, HRB 16746 (AG Nürnberg) ------------------------------------- Novell, Inc. SUSE® Linux Enterprise 10 Your Linux is ready http://www.novell.com/linux -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] Look and Feel of the openSUSE Installer
by Magnus Boman 18 Apr '07

18 Apr '07

Hello openSUSE lovers! openSUSE has been rapidly evolving, but the installer has stayed the same for many versions! The installer is the first thing potential openSUSE users see, and an immediate 'pleasant surprise effect is very important, particularly considering the competition from other installers available. Previous SUSE users also erroneously presume sometimes that the distro is the same since the installer hasn't changed, unfortunately. I've created a page on the wiki to collect ideas on how to improve the openSUSE installer. If you have any ideas (or concerns), please head over to http://en.opensuse.org/Pimp_My_Installer and update it as you see fit. Thanks, Magnus -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] Yast UI Future ideas
by Ricardo Cruz 16 Apr '07

16 Apr '07

Hi folks, Opened a wiki page for people to drop some thoughts and ideas with regard to Yast interface. Stop by, and drop yours. :) http://en.opensuse.org/Yast_UI_Future You may notice reply-to is set to the yast-devel mailing list. Please, reply there. Cheers, Ricardo -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] Network settings survey
by Martin Schmidkunz 05 Apr '07

05 Apr '07

Hi, I would like to invite you to take part in our new survey about nentwork settings! We are interested in knowing how you deal with network settings. The survey will be online until April, 20th You find the survey on: http://en.opensuse.org/Usability Thanks and regards, Martin -- Martin Schmidkunz User Experience Specialist martin.schmidkunz(a)novell.com +49 (0) 911 740 53-346 ------------------------------------- SUSE LINUX Products GmbH, GF: Markus Rex, HRB 16746 (AG Nürnberg) ------------------------------------- Novell, Inc. SUSE® Linux Enterprise 10 Your Linux is ready http://www.novell.com/linux -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] More opinions on usability in Linux
by Rajko M. 31 Mar '07

31 Mar '07

The article: http://theosib.livejournal.com/1742.html is touching few aspects of popular operating systems. Part that comparing file system hierarchy usability in Linux, MacOS and Windows is interesting. It almost always leads to heated discussions while article and some comments have valid points about need for a new solutions. -- Regards, Rajko. http://en.opensuse.org/Portal -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] A Usability Based Challenge!
by Andrew Laignel 27 Mar '07

27 Mar '07

Hi. I've lurked here for quite a bit (I was advised to subscribe to this list on another forum in response to the challenge posted below) and haven't really seen much activity, so I just thought I'd toss in my 2c. To be honest I have not used Suse that much - I've seen it in action and used it for a short time, but nothing in depth. I've mainly used Ubuntu (I seriously don't know what all the fuss is about), Mepis, PCLinuxOS (Quite like it) and a few other random distro's. My concern is based around the general feeling and attitudes of the Linux community at large, rather than centered around any one distro. Anyway... I first decided to try out Linux a couple of years ago (I've known of it for much longer) as I run an Internet cafe and would have quite liked to avoid the Microsoft tax. I tried a few distro's for a short time - FC4, Mepis and Ubuntu (warty). At the end of the trial I weighed the various benefits of all platforms and decided to stick with Windows, as none of the distros offered enough advantages to make it worth the extra time and had many significant limitations (mainly with regard to usability). I am not 'Pro Microsoft', nor am I 'Pro Linux', I am 'Pro whatever gets the job done best'. I decided to put a post on the Ubuntu forums detailing the reasons why I was not going to use it and the limitations I found. As a programmer myself that is the sort of information I want to know. The reasons people are using my software are nice, the reasons people aren't are nicer. Unfortunately I was promptly flamed to a crisp by a vocal percentage of the forum regulars who refuse to hear a bad word about Linux. Even saying something as simple as 'Why not make .deb's double clickable?' would get a hail of negative responses. Excuses were made for everything - nobody would recognize one single point as valid. I tried a few other forums, all with the same results. Bringing up issues with usability always ended the same way. I in fact found it impossible to have any constructive discussion of usability issues without it turning into a flamewar. My eventual conclusion is that constructive criticism of Linux simply doesn't happen in an open forum, that there is no place set aside for it to happen (no Linux distro I have yet seen has a 'tell us what you think' forum) and pretty much no effort is made to open a (honest) dialogue with end users about what they like/dislike. The only place close to this is bugzilla, which doesn't handle usability issues, only programming bugs. From my experiance using Linux (and OSS software in general) the software is generally powerful, stable, yet usually with a sub-par GUI and pretty much no attention paid to usability. I do not approve of people signing up on Linux forums to bash the OS but I feel the community in general is so defensive any comments no matter how benign or well said are seen as attacks - possible because they see it as an attack on the FOSS ideology - and any comment made is seen in a 'Linux vs Windows' capacity, even when only talking about Linux with Windows being irrelevant to the discussion. It always gets twisted to X vs Y. As a result of this no public discussions of Linux' pitfalls are allowed to exist resulting in the developers being essentially insulated from the end users. Criticisms and comments from the people using the software are not sought after and more often than not actively suppressed, and the only form of feedback that works is bugzilla - which will never address usability issues. So, anyway, after that longer-than-planned rant, my challenge is this: Find a place on the Internet that constructive criticism of Linux actually takes place where you can discuss caveats in the OS and talk about usability and what can be done to improve it in a calm and civilized manner. It's a harder task than you'd think. And if no such discussions take place how are any developers ever meant to know what the main concerns/problems that the general userbase is having? I just think that the open sharing of ideas is just as important as the open sharing of code, yet it practically never happens. I'd also like to contribute my expertise (graphic design & usability) as would many other people yet even discussing the topic in public is pretty much prohibited. Hey, I just reckon if you let (and encourage) people talk about what they would like, many good ideas may come of it. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] Maybe short the name this mailing list ?
by Alexey Eremenko 24 Mar '07

24 Mar '07

Wouldn't that be better to just cut the name of this mailing to: "opensusebility" ? :) -- -Alexey Eremenko "Technologov" -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] Online Questionnaire on Gnome/KDE for my master thesis ... Online-Umfrage zu Gnome/KDE für meine Diplomarbeit
by Martin Neuwirth 24 Mar '07

24 Mar '07

Hello/Guten Tag! Read below the line with the many (---) signs for the german version of this mail. I am a student at the technical university of Vienna. I hope that you can help me out by taking part in my online questionnaire, which deals with usability aspects of the two biggest user interfaces Gnome and KDE for open source desktops. I am doing this research as a part of my theses in computer science. The questionnaire can be found at: http://www.schilf.at/gnomeKde/index.php?lang=en Even if you are not familiar with those terms right now your contribution is still of great value to me. Thank you for participating. (------------------------------------------------------------------) Ich bin Student an der Technischen Universität in Wien. Ich hoffe, dass du kurz Zeit hast und mir beim Herausfinden von Usabilityaspekten der beiden großen Benutzerschnittstellen Gnome und KDE behilflich sein kannst. Ich führe diese Umfrage im Rahmen meiner Diplomarbeit für Informatik durch und würde dich bitten unter folgendem Link: http://www.schilf.at/gnomeKde daran teilzunehmen. Auch wenn dir diese beiden Begriffe momentan unbekannt scheinen ist dein Beitrag wertvoll. Danke für deine Teilnahme. -- Martin Neuwirth -- Martin -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] Re. The SuSE desktop advantage
by Keith Wilkinson 28 Jan '07

28 Jan '07

> A Live DVD whose System and Application menus could be easily > switched between multiple languages ( like English, German, Japanese, > Korean, Spanish, Fillipino ) without affecting the locale setting > would really blow peoples' minds ;-) Spoke too soon. The F4 key allows the language to be selected from 11 languages at boot time. Superb! (But not 100% obvious unless you notice the F4 key label). Would be even nicer to be able to switch on the fly. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] Re. The SuSE desktop advantage
by Keith Wilkinson 28 Jan '07

28 Jan '07

A Live DVD whose System and Application menus could be easily switched between multiple languages ( like English, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, Fillipino ) without affecting the locale setting would really blow peoples' minds ;-) This is something that Windows will probably never be able to do. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] Turnkey applications based on SuSE LINUX
by Keith Wilkinson 28 Jan '07

28 Jan '07

If the definition of usability extends to "making application software bundles which a dumb user can install" then maybe the following suggestion applies to usability: There are lots of expensive LINUX-based black boxes for handling applications like firewalling and spam filtering in large companies. Surely either (1) offering a LINUX-based software package that would make it easy for a user to set up such a system or (2) partnering with hardware vendors like IBM and HP to offer such a package as a turnkey hardware-software bundle including support, could be quite profitable. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] Re. The SuSE desktop advantage
by Keith Wilkinson 28 Jan '07

28 Jan '07

Correction: the phone call was not "today" but rather a week or so back. I said: > It probably wouldn't take very much to make it possible to switch both > system and application language (independent of the "locale" setting) > among major languages like English French German Japanese Korean Chinese*. but probably Spanish (for the US market) and maybe Filipino and Hindi support would also be valuable... A massive switch from Windows to LINUX desktops in developing countries, combined with large numbers of people developing Open Source software in those countries, could provide a huge boost to LINUX. Vista, with its requirement for 1-2GB of RAM and fast CPUs, is going to prove too expensive for developing countries to afford. PS: Itseems that many users -- even existing Novell users -- in the US have no idea what Open Enterprise LINUX can do. Maybe Novell needs to plan some road shows in markets like the US, making sure that the road shows are widely advertised in advance. -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] The SuSE desktop advantage
by Keith Wilkinson 28 Jan '07

28 Jan '07

Attended a Novell Japan seminar some months back, and had a phone call today from someone seeking my suggestions. I suggested: (1) "make it easier to switch system and application language" (discussed below). After the discussion ended and I hung up, I had another idea: (2) "Personalizable kiosk" (like "roaming profiles" in Windows) (also discussed below). (1) I installed OpenSuSE 10.0 in Japanese then wanted to demonstrate it in English to a user group. After a lot of fiddling, I was able to switch both the system language and application menu language to English, but this irretrievably broke the date ( the date would take a random value every time the system was booted up ). It probably wouldn't take very much to make it possible to switch both system and application language (independent of the "locale" setting) among major languages like English French German Japanese Korean Chinese*. ( *Maybe the Chinese market is a low priority because of difficulty getting people to pay licensing/support fees... ;-) With Windows and other distros I don't think it's possible to switch both system menu language and application menu language. Only very large multinationals can purchase a multilingual version of Office from Microsoft -- however the system language still can't be switched. So this is potentially a huge advantage for an SuSE desktop over Windows. (2) When I visited a major city in another country I found a huge Internet Cafe with about 200 seats. They were running Windows 2000. When you paid in some money and set up an account, you got a customizable roaming desktop. You could sit down at any computer and log on to your desktop. I think that the reason that they were running Windows 2000 was to get around MS Office licensing issues. Incidentally, Skype was one of the applications being run. However -- thinking about it -- this is a similar situation to that in many big companies: some computers must be shared, and ideally the user interface ( both system and application interface ) should be customizable ( users should be able to switch system and application menus to their own language, and the system should remember user desktop preferences (and save any files that the user leaves on the system) and switch to the user's dektop when the user logs on ). So requirement (2) is a personalizable kiosk application like "roaming profiles" in Windows. I feel that these are potentially huge desktop markets which maybe only Novell is capable of filling... -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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[opensuse-usability] Welcome to opensuse-usability
by Henne Vogelsang 25 Jan '07

25 Jan '07

Hey Peepz, welcome to opensuse-usability. This list ist meant to discuss usability in the openSUSE distribution and tools. Have a lot of fun... Henne -- Henne Vogelsang, Teamlead Core Services "Rules change. The Game remains the same." - Omar (The Wire) -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-usability+unsubscribe(a)opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse-usability+help(a)opensuse.org

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