unity-design team mailing list archive

[H S <perhapspink@xxxxxxxxx>]

@mac_v

Thanks for the +1

Thanks also for your opinions on how the slideshow could be improved.  I was
wondering if you wouldn't mind taking the extra step and posting your
comments to the slideshow's mailing list?

subscribe: https://launchpad.net/~ubiquity-slideshow

and post:https://lists.launchpad.net/ubiquity-slideshow/maillist.html

Franky, I don't know how receptive they'll be.  I've been telling them
repeatedly that the inline images are way too small for anyone but a
seasoned Ubuntu user to be even able to recognize what they are referring to
-  but it doesn't seem to change their minds.  They are somehow set on
keeping to small dimensions because they want the slideshow to work on
netbooks, and other small screens.  Since they are building it in html / css
I just don't see why they couldn't build something that that scales up for
larger screens, but gracefully scales down for smaller ones.

I've taken your advice an re posted my previous message to the Desktop
Experience Team's mailing list.  You can keep track of it, if you like, at
https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-desktop/2009-June/002116.html

Oh, and I like your idea of relaxing sounds or nice instrumental music
playing during the slideshow.  I wish I'd thought of that! :)

Be well.

Cheers,

Howard "Freeman" Stellar.

PS.  If you are intereted, I've posted some early mockups of how I think the
slides could look:

http://ubuntuwtf.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/my-mockup-suggestion-for-ubiquity-slideshow/



On Mon, Jun 22, 2009 at 11:58 PM, mac_v <drkvi-a@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> H S wrote:
> > https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Ayatana:  "Ayatana's goal is to build a set
> > of well researched and defined technologies to help extend, improve and
> > refine the Open Source desktop"
> >
> > Shouldn't that mean that Ayatana should have some oversight, or at
> > least, be made aware of, certain highly visible projects?
> >
> > For example, the slideshow that will show during the Ubiquity install
> > for Karmic
> > (https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+spec/ubiquity-slideshow) will be
> > the first impression that many new users will have of Ubuntu.Â
> > Shouldn't the Ayatana Team at least keep an eye on - and at most, lend
> > some design and communication skills and polish to - this project?  If
> > left to their own devices, I'm afraid the project will only produce a
> > very 'rinky-dink', amateurish outcome that will not leave a good first
> > impression.
> >
> > I've already tried to lend my design opinions at
> > https://lists.launchpad.net/ubiquity-slideshow/maillist.html, but to
> > little or no avail. :-(
> >
> > I could suggest other projects as well, but I'm curious what people
> > think.  Is Ayatana just about starting new projects, or is it also
> > about participating in highly visible (to the end-user) projects, so
> > that good, consistent, well-designed 'look and feel' is persistent
> > throughout the Ubuntu experience?
> >
>
> +1...
>
> I think that this requires the guidance from the Desktop Experience Team...
>
> Since they have done user testing , they know explicitly what the new
> users expect/look for/miss in Ubuntu...
>
> I'v seen the slideshow, But i'm not sure of the design...
> Right now ,For a particular topic, It has 3 tiny screenshots are used in
> a 800x600 background slide , with a lot of text... Which seems a bit too
> much info , though essential info, seems to overwhelm the viewer.
>
> A better way would be to:
> 1: split the text into 3 and use 3 LARGER [800x600] Screenshots as the
> background and loop the 3 screenshots + 3Lines for that topic, Until the
> user moves to the next topic...
> 2: the text should NOT be in a particular fixed location, the text is
> placed in the empty space allowed as by the different screenshots...
> 3: If possible a pleasant music playing in the background [water
> fall/breeze ]...
>
> The splitting of the text + the varied positioning of the text , makes
> it look as if the text is minimal and more "fun/interesting"...
>
> Something to make the images flow into each other, as done here>
> http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whatisubuntu/810features/ the .jpg images
> are looped ,could be used , which if done for a particular topic would
> create a nice animated video feel.
>
> Cheers,
> mac_v
>