Re: System settings layouts (Universal Access proposal)

[Christian Giordano <christian giordano canonical com>]

Hi Allan,

 

Thanks for the mockup, Christian. I agree that the layout of this
panel could be improved. Let me also say that it's great to have
someone contributing design - welcome!

Thanks a lot, I will be very happy to help! 

We should set you up with access to the GNOME design repositories [1]
if you're going to be making more GNOME contributions.

 

As you prefer, I would be happy to do so (I am http://github.com/nuthinking)

...

> Horizontal alignment of the switches with the feature header: while the
> offset is there for hierarchical reasons, with the switch widget (with such
> straight lines) looks almost as a bug.
> The description of the feature is too far from the header: ideally should
> almost be between the header and the switch. As it is now looks like an
> introduction to the related options.
> Is not clear where "Turn on accessibility features from the keyboard"
> belongs
> On Screen Keyboard is a clearer header than Typing Assistant (which is too
> generic)

...

I agree with all of this.

Fab! 

> The sliders are too wide: ergonomically speaking, they require too much
> pointer movement and that level of precision is not required (I didn't fix
> this in the quick mock up I did)

Not sure about that. Happy to discuss though.

Yep, invalid issue! ;) 

 

I find that this kind of discussion is more effective on IRC than a
mailing list, but we've got a thread here and I'm not able to be
online much today (I'm busy fighting a cold!)

Is this because the time requested to write a proper formal email? Isn't there the risk that someone misses what said on IRC? 

 

Overall the design looks
like it is heading in the right direction. Some things that could be
improved:

 * It would be nicer to have the switches close to the feature headers.

This was the first attempt, I am sure we can try other options. 

 * The positioning of the switches also makes it unclear that they
affect the sensitivity of the controls below

agreed 

 * Can you use whitespace to separate each section rather than
dividers (this is standard practice for GNOME design)?

yes. Wouldn't it be a problem is the panel is set to have an height bigger than 530px and in case of tiny display it will be scrollable? I think we need to find a way to have less packed/stressed UI because we want to support in the same way a tiny minority of the screens. This seems to be leading to bad UIs (where decisions are made based on the real-estate usage). 

 * The layout feels a bit tightly packed in some areas.

See above 

 * It is difficult to distinguish the configuration options and the
descriptions.

agreed, will look into it. 

 * Could you use a standard text box for the test area?

I could, it would looks as sexy though! ;) 

Hope that helps,

Definitely does, thanks Allan!

Best, chr