gtg-contributors team mailing list archive

[Bertrand Rousseau <bertrand.rousseau@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear all GTGers,

I'd like to propose a GSoC idea this year to work on a new UI for GTG
for Gnome 3.x. Indeed, now that GTG is back on the tracks, and that
the third and fourth revisions of the Gnome 3.x is planned for this
year, I think it's time for us to seriously start works in this area.

GTG also kinda lacks a dedicated space, community and processes for
dealing with UI-related matters. This is why, other that proposing a
renewed UI, I'd like this GSoC to be also about bootstrapping
solutions for those aspects.

I am willing to mentor this one. I've been historically more focused
on the UI stuff (even tough I no specialist per se, make no mistake),
and I think someone with more time and inspiration than me should now
jump in and take over this role.

I have put together a project idea around this. You will find it
below. Please comment, and tell me if you would be ok to submit this
along Gnome GSoC proposals. If you're alright with it, I'll put it on
the 2012 Gnome GSoC idea list.

Bertrand

----------------------------------------

GSoC PROJECT IDEA:

A Gnome 3.x UI for Getting Things Gnome!
====================================

Since the project start in 2008, GTG UI has mostly known some minor
changes. GTG was imagined and conceived in the Gnome 2.x era, and
therefore looks like and feels like a Gnome 2.x application. Gnome 3.x
having entered its second year of existence now, GTG's UI is slowly
getting old. It is therefore time to think about reviewing GTG's UI
and start its integration in the Gnome 3.x desktop.

About UI design
-----------------------

UI design is a really hard task, even more for an existing
application. Indeed, a good UI:

 * feels intuitive;
 * empowers users;
 * feels naturally integrated in its environment, to provide a sense
of cohesion and comfort;
 * provides a feeling of modernness;

but, most importantly:

 * it doesn't get in the way and just do the damn thing!

But this is not all. Even though designs can be objectively motivated,
everyone knows that they also have a strong subjective component.
Therefore design is not only about the design itself, but also about
*design leadership and the process*. Indeed, a good design leadership
and design process:

 * federate the users around UI decisions (get approval by old users,
seduce new ones);
 * federate the developers (convince technically- and
functionally-oriented people);
 * create and maintain a working space for UI-oriented discussions,
with the necessary dedicated tools and resources;
 * create and maintain a community of people focusing on UI that
*effectively and efficiently* work in synergy/symbiosis with the
technical community and thrives to do so;

Being responsible of UI design is thus serious work, and should treated like it.

The project proposal:
------------------------------

The objective of this GSoC proposal is actually twofold:

1) Build an exhaustive, motivated and documented UI proposal for GTG
in the Gnome 3.x era;
2) Bootstrap a working environment for UI-focused matter in the
current GTG ecosystem.

The student will therefore be asked to list the features that need to
be supported in the post-GTG 0.3 series, and design a Gnome 3.x UI
proposal that provides those. This will be made through documentation
(e.g.: listing existing designs and existing concepts, personas,
discussions, etc.), mockups and partial implementations if needed.

The student will also have to bootstrap a space in the GTG development
ecosystem dedicated to UI development (e.g.: wiki pages, dedicated
launchpad tools and resources, introduce and build a discussion and
decision process for UI-related discussions in the project, etc.)

A successful GSoC would therefore provide the student with a very
interesting and important role in the GTG community, as it would
become an important interlocutor regarding GTG's UI decisions.

About the mentor and mentoring:
-----------------------------------------------

I (Bertrand Rousseau) will be mentoring this project. I have been part
of the GTG project since its very beginning. Historically, I have been
focused on UI stuff regarding GTG. Last years, I have not been able to
invest much time in the project, and I'd LOVE to see someone jump in
and take the lead in UI-related stuffs! I am highly motivated to make
this GSoC successful!

I don't want to prescribe any specific solution in order to keep the
creative (and fun ;-) ) part to the student. I will be, however, very
serious about the process and result of the work being done: I want
things to be done seriously, and I'm expecting the student to strongly
commit to the project.

I want the student to progressively take the lead in the project for
UI-related stuff, take the role of driving ui-related discussions and
the work. Therefore, my aim is to impose none (or the less possible
;-) ) of my personal views in the UI proposals. I will mostly focus on
the process and the quality of the work. (I will, however, give my
opinion, but equally as any other contributor!)

Please don't hesitate to email me and/or send your proposal at
bertrand.rousseau AT gmail DOT com!

Requirements:
---------------------

 * Highly motivated
 * Good leadership and communication skills (design require a strong
capability to federate about one's idea)
 * Works in a structured way
 * Capable of dealing with more technically and functionally-oriented people
 * Know about some UI design techniques (personas, etc.)

Capabilities in graphic designs, etc. is a plus, but I prefer good
ideas based on pencil sketches than weak ideas drawn with highly
realistic mockups ;-). That being said, providing the right rendering
of an idea for each step of the design process (sketches for
discussion, more realistic mockups when nearing decisions, etc.) is
somehow also part of a good communication skill...

References:
-----------------

 * Look at https://live.gnome.org/Design/Apps/ to get a good idea of
what Gnome 3.x UI looks like

 * GTG gnome wiki: https://live.gnome.org/gtg/

In particular, looking at the blueprints
(https://live.gnome.org/gtg/blueprints), feature requests
(https://live.gnome.org/gtg/feature_requests) and the roadmap
(https://live.gnome.org/gtg/Roadmap) is a must!

 * Read the discussion on this bug:
https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&view=bsp&ver=ohhl4rw8mbn4 and have
a look the great proposals/mockups that rAX and vovkkk have made (look
at the bug attachments).

 * Look at ui-related launchpad bugs, a good start for this project
will be to filter out interesting discussions (and probably, introduce
UI-specific traiging) to UI-related bugs.

--
Bertrand Rousseau