The Beryl project has won a lot of press time so far with its impressive tricks -- even more than its slower-evolving daddy, Compiz. There are several lose ends to Beryl's core engine and incompatibilities with existing applications or technologies. However, something that really put off a lot of people when they try Beryl is its dreadful settings manager.
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Member since:2005-06-28
Member since:2005-07-02
Member since:2006-05-14
>> Unfortunately, "advanced" is not a good idea for any UI.
> But what about advanced users?
Advanced users shouldn't use those advanced settings either, to prevent confusion just in case an new user is exposed to such an advanced desktop. (Everybody who just sees such a settings manager is one user less going to try out linux). They also should focus on the simplified settings panel to be able to help an new user instantly, if he asks for help, and not waste their time and confuse themselves too with the "advanced" one.
Linux absolutely needs an strong Gleichschaltung (see Wikipedia), and those so called "advanced users" just _have to_ give up their sick desires for more confusing configurability in order to serve the Linux cause, the Endsieg and total domination of the desktop.
Configurability kills Linux! Configurability is _THE_ keyword! So in order to be more successful than Windows, Linux has to be _way less_ configurable than windows! Its not missing applications or device driver issues that are slowing down Linux adoption, its the overwhelming configurability!
Try to finally realise this fact, and then live by it.
Edited 2007-03-20 10:37
Member since:2006-08-23
Configurability kills Linux! Configurability is _THE_ keyword! So in order to be more successful than Windows, Linux has to be _way less_ configurable than windows! Its not missing applications or device driver issues that are slowing down Linux adoption, its the overwhelming configurability!
Sarcasm <- activate
Unfortunately, you're talking to the wrong guys. Most people are here exactly because they like Linux for its configurability. Most of the geeks want to spend half their day fiddling with configuration options. It's their hobby. They like computers, so they want configurability and 1000 complicated features. How boring would a computer be without all those functions? It would be nothing more than a useful tool, designed to make our lives easier! But, seriously, who wants such boring and sensible stuff? 
Sarcasm <- deactivate
Member since:2007-03-09
"Advanced users shouldn't use those advanced settings either,"
So advanced users should give up their freedom just..
"to prevent confusion just in case an new user is exposed to such an advanced desktop."
One thing is for sure: he/she will not be a new user forever.
Give it time and there is a chance that this user will become an advanced user as well.
At this point the circle has closed and the user will become just as frustrated as the teacher with the lack of configurability and freedom.
Edit: quoting, typos
Edited 2007-03-20 11:08
Member since:2005-07-06
[sarcasm mode on]
Hey, maybe having a user decide what programs run on his/her computer or not is WAY confusing! Why don't distros use a script that eliminates CONFUSING menus and decides when and what software is running in every given moment of the day for a user? This way the user won't have to painstakingly decide "oh what do I do now, do I open a spreadsheet and do work or do I play solitaire another 10 minutes?" - That's progress!
[sarcasm mode off]
Everyone I know I have converted to Linux, loves it because of its configurability. I've never, ever heard one whining about "oh it would be good but I hate the fact it's so configurable", apart from so-called UI experts like Havoc Pennington.
Member since:2006-03-29
Get over it "Linux is not Windows", the sooner the people realise that the less frustrated and open-minded they will be concerning different concepts.
http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW.htm
Member since:2005-07-02
(Everybody who just sees such a settings manager is one user less going to try out linux).
Nonsensical. If they're seeing the settings manager, they're *already* trying Linux.
Configurability kills Linux! Configurability is _THE_ keyword! So in order to be more successful than Windows, Linux has to be _way less_ configurable than windows!
I completely disagree. Configurability is what brought me to Linux in the first place. Without the ability to tinker and customize, Linux wouldn't be where it is right now. In fact, it wouldn't be anywhere.
Make things easier for newbies, yes, but allow advanced users to tinker.
Try to finally realise this fact, and then live by it.
It's not a fact, it's an opinion, and - in my opinion - a fallacious one at that.
Member since:
2005-07-02
Unfortunately, "advanced" is not a good idea for any UI.
But what about advanced users?