unity-design team mailing list archive

[Toki Tahmid <oxwivi@xxxxxxxxx>]

Your points are very valid, and I want to point out a couple to say more
about them:

*Non-application icons*
I agree they need to be fixed to the bottom along side trash. And possibly
even modifying them a little into smaller icons.

*Application categories*
As you say, it's annoying to only show a few of the installed apps. I think
that all of the installed applications area should expanded by default with
the last row reserved for recommended/available apps.

On 2 May 2011 14:39, Adrian Maier <syraxes@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Hello,
>
> When I saw that Ubuntu 11.04 will have the new unity interface I have
> rushed to upgrade my home pc to the not-yet-released 11.04.  I saw the
> new interface on my eeepc netbook running 10.10   , so I was excited
> and impatient to try the unity on the desktop ...
>
> Hopefully there is interest in getting feedback about it .  So here are
> some
> remarks about this new default interface of Ubuntu Linux.
>
>
> The Application Launcher :
> - needs a right-click menu with options like "Add application " ,
> "Properties".
> - it is uncomfortable that icons like "Workspaces" and "Applications"
> don't have a fixed well-defined position in the launcher : their
> position is variable due to new items that appear when opening new
> applications .
> - it should be possible to easily add/remove the non-application icons
> like "Home", "Trash", "Files & folders" , "Applications" ,
> "Workspaces".  And also have a way to control the position of these
> icons.
> - it would be nice to have the possibility to change the icon size
>
>
> The Dash :
> - provides a quick way to start an application when the user knows the
> name of the application . This is probably nice after getting the
> habit of using it.
> - don't see the usefulness of "favorites".  For frequently used
> applications I would definitely create a desktop or launcher icon
> rather than open Dash and click on a "favorite".
> - it would be useful to have the possibility to configure the Ubuntu
> button to open a "classical" applications menu instead of Dash.
>
>
> The Applications:
> - browsing apps categories is bloated  :   after clicking on a
> category it's irritating that only a few apps are visible and that i
> have to click on " 5 more ... " .  Way too many clicks.
> - it's nice to suggest new applications to be installed : good feature
> that allows beginners to discover new apps
> - the icon is non-intuitive : a plus sign suggests "adding" something
> , not starting applications
>
>
> My overall conclusion about Unity is almost positive, with reservation.
> I could use it for simple tasks like Internet browsing.
> However, it wouldn't be suitable for complex scenarios : for example
> when doing development I need a few consoles open, an IDE , a browser,
> etc.  When many applications are open,  Unity wouldn't be suitable for
> my needs  ; it's limiting the user because it attempts to force a very
> specific way of starting applications and switching between them.
> The bad thing it is that it not customizable at all at the moment ...
>
>
>
> >From my point of view there are currently two open points that
> prevents me from adopting the new Unity interface as the main desktop:
> - I feel a desperate need for an "Applications" button that opens a
> classical menu with applications grouped into categories . A classical
> menu allows any application to be started with exactly 2 clicks
> (click on the menu,  navigate with the mouse, then click on the
> application) .
> - I don't think that I can get used to the new concept of mixing
> "application buttons" with "started applications". I prefer a separate
>  region on the screen used for displaying the open applications .
>
> I really liked the unity  interface on my eeepc running 10.10 netbook
> edition.  But I am unconvinced that the new concept is suitable for a
> desktop pc in its current state.   The big difference is that a
> netbook is intended to be used for lightweight tasks, so it's ok to
> create a simpler interface . But on a full-powered pc there are much
> more usage patterns :   it's hard to create the perfect gui design that
> matches the needs/habits of all kinds of users on the planet.
> The customizability is more important on desktop pc's user than
> on netbooks .  And Unity is currently non-customizable
> (i am not talking about color themes ...   i am referring to being
> able to activate/deactivate certain features,  and re-position the
> elements on the screen) .
>
>
>
> Best regards,
> Adrian M
>
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