unity-design team mailing list archive

[Luke Benstead <kazade@xxxxxxxxx>]

> The main problem here, which Mark has hit upon in previous emails, is
> that while more configuration sounds nice and simple in theory, it
> creates buggy and inelegant applications. Each option added creates
> another code path to develop, maintain, and test. Even a simple binary
> checkbox theoretically doubles the the number of possible
> configurations as you have all the possibilities you did before with
> the option unchecked, and now that same number with the new option
> checked. It can really be a drain on new features and overall quality,
> which would be a disservice to users.

I totally agree. However in this particular instance, the inability to
configure the location, conflicts with GNOME's general ability to be
configured (i.e. screen elements can be positioned to a users
preference and the notifications may conflict with that). Also, my
accessibility point stands, some users have better vision in certain
portions of their view and would prefer the notifications where they
can see them. I totally agree that the options should be limited, I
don't think the size, colour, animation style, duration etc. of the
notifications need to be configurable (font-size definitely so for
accessibility, but I believe that's already the case) positioning is
necessary though IMO.

>
> That said, users are different and some basic configuration options
> can be beneficial. It is just a fine line on a slippery slope, and I
> think there is a lot that can be done with good defaults and
> intelligent behavior, instead of working around a lack thereof with
> lots of configuration options.

Yep, sane defaults make sense. But in some circumstances we should be
able to change them. I'll give an example, the Pidgin developers
decision to make the input box non-resizable was a sane change to
make. It didn't really affect anyone, no-one suddenly couldn't see the
box, it didn't interfere with any users daily work, it just may not
have been their preference and I believe it was a good decision, it
didn't take me long to get used to it and now I don't even think about
it.

However, right now on Jaunty, if I'm typing into the Firefox search
box and a notification comes in, it interrupts me. As I've mentioned a
few times, people with poor vision may not even see the notifications
in the chosen position (I believe this is the most serious issue
really). Users who arrange their desktop in a non-default way (e.g.
have desktop widgets in that location, have an app with a sidebar
there etc.) will be disrupted by the notifications. Yes they fade if
you hover them, but that's still an action you must perform, and
something that a slight configurability will remedy.

Luke.