faq
flatforty
contribute
subscribe
configure
search
rdf
main
parent
thread
|
Re: We don't need no stinkin' consistency
by ac on Thursday 03/Jan/2008, @16:32
|
>> well, that's unfortunately not particularly true.
So what you're saying is that Okular doing there own sidebar wasn't any more work than just using Amaroks? Sorry, I don't believe you, I think that's marketing-Aaron talking :)
>> nor is the fact that there are these different sidebars a given that therefore usability is significantly weakened.
Probably not significantly. But the one thing I hate the most about Vista usability is that stuff's all over the place. And I'm not the only one who thinks that. It won't make or break a GUI but I don't think there's a compelling reason to have all these different solutions because the needs of the different apps are mostly the same.
>> the amarok/konq style, the tool docks (what dolphin uses) and perhaps a toolbox style ala kpdf/marble
I think one of the advantages of Opera's sidebar would be that it could easily replace the first and the third.
How about icon-only, but when you hover over the side-sidebar (i.e. the selector) labels for all icons fade-in. ( http://img233.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sidebardn9.jpg -- Frankenstein's version. Use your imagination for a cool oxygenized look with bells and whistles)
That would be
a) slim
b) provide icons+text
c) no vertical text
d) lots of space for many entries
Disadvantages and possible solutions:
a) the labels can't be clickable otherwise actually using the sidebar (as opposed to the sidesidebar) becomes a chore
b) even this way you'd probably want a slight delay and relatively slow fade-in to prevent a constant flicker of the labels appearing and disappearing again
c) small target area for the mouse, although Fitt's law helps in some cases; it'd probably be a good idea to use a size somewhere between Opera's and Konqueror's icons
d) you'd have to use graphical effects to make clear to even the most imbecile of users that the labels are just labels for the icons on the left and not clickable buttons
Dolphin's tool dock. Well, at least Dolphin doesn't really need it. The only use case I can think of is a combined Places/Meta sidebar (because the dirtree is pointless if you have to scroll all the time you generally don't want it to share vertical space with one of the others. Vista did it and it's just unusable) but is that really that important?
>> so while i agree that similar sidebar styles should be harmonized, asking for One True Sidebar style is probably not even a desirable end goal. trying to make the case that that would be best for usability is also far fetched.
Maybe not 1, but 2 should be enough. What's the big difference in usage between your first and third? I can see how the second one is optimized for a different task, although I can't think of any existing app where I'd actually need/want it (I think I'd prefer a Konqueror style sidebar in Dolphin. In things like Krita where stacking toolboxes vertically could be useful, the awkward tabs limit its usefulness, imho, because it's not really optimized for more than perhaps three boxes down one side)
>> and since you've given us some feedback, i'd like to give you some as well: you ought to learn how to communicate in a way that encourages thought without resorting to invective and insult. you had some interesting points, but they were completely drowned out by your communication style, or lack thereof.
It's the first rule of Linux online tech-support but it also applies to feedback in my experience:
Post a friendly request for help, state your problem clearly and concisely and list all information that could be useful in solving your issue and you'll be lucky if someone hurls a "RTFM!" in your general direction.
Bitch and complain about how Linux is unusable and <competing DE> is much better and the POS doesn't work because <your problem here> and you're gonna be insulted and derided but they'll prove your inferiority by posting 4 different perfectly working solutions to your problem.
In this case:
>> you ought to learn how to communicate in a way that encourages thought
It apparently did work.
>> without resorting to invective and insult.
The worst part of my post was that I called the current state of things "stupid". I didn't even call the people that did it stupid and the second one doesn't follow from the first (the way to hell is paved with good intentions).
My tone was confrontational but not insulting.
>> but they were completely drowned out by your communication style, or lack thereof.
It didn't keep you from posting a detailed reply, so I challenge your assertion |
|
|
![[KDE Dot News]](http://www.kde.org/dot/Images/kdedotnews.gif)
