Re: [Usability]Attempt at constructive criticism - "Why Gnome 2 sucks for me"

[Daniel Borgmann <daniel liebesgedichte net>]

On Wed, 2002-08-28 at 09:19, Aleksander Adamowski wrote:
> >As someone who is currently stuck using windows machines most of the time and 
> >who has been using the windows for 8-10 years, I have to say that the new 
> >button ordering, while odd at first, has proved to be a real delight. The UI 
> >is now consistent. In fact I have grown so use to the button ordering that 
> >
> I don't understand. Consistent with what?
> And if opinions about button ordering are so divided, why is it not a 
> settable preference? Or maybe it is, and I just couldn't find it - but 
> that would indicate that either help system or Control Center need 
> redesign. I _was _ looking for it.

Consistent with common sense... You said users tend to click on buttons
without looking at them? Then I ask you how would that be possible with
the previous button layout? The "confirm" button could have been the
most left of the right group, the second from right or sometimes the
most right. With the new button layout, the confirm button (those which
you use 95% of the time) is _always_ in the lower right corner which is
the easiest place to spot it. The cancel button will be left from it and
everything left from that will be alternative actions. Once you get used
to it, it's ten times more convenient. That said, my most used
applications (Galeon and Evolution) still have the old button layout and
while this is less convenient for me, it never was a problem. 
Also most systems do actually use this layout. Mac OS X, BeOS, GNUStep,
etc. Only Windows had the layout reverted (from Mac OS which was first)
and KDE and GNOME had it copied. Now that GNOME has switched, only
Windows and KDE (and maybe some other copycats) are left AFAICT. 
Just because most people use Windows will hopefully not be a reason to
do everything they do, even if it makes less sense. I want a system that
works as efficient as possible, even if this means that I have to change
my working behaviour a little bit. 
Please try it for a while, maybe you will like it eventually. :)

- Daniel