Re: [Usability] Announce - GNOME 3 Usability Hackfest: Topic GNOME Shell

[Allan Day <allanpday gmail com>]

Hi Tim!

Thanks for your message.

> I would like to suggest someone from the usability list review this
> link. 
> http://gnomesupport.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13782 it is titled
> Against GNOME Shell (for GNOME 3.0). If you really want to know what us
> users are thinking this would be a great example. 

I've had a quick look. Don't have time to go through it all right now
though. ;)

I'd advise you to keep an open mind with the shell. First, because it
isn't finished yet (some big changes just happened in the way that
overlay is displayed, for example), and second, because it is a big
change.

It seems like you're an experienced GNOME user. I'd encourage you wait a
while and to give the shell another go. When you do, you should try and
stick with it for a while - it could take a bit of time to get used to.
There is a lot there to like if you give it a chance. I promise!

When you do give it another chance, I'd also encourage you to think
about how you are evaluating the shell. Don't give up just because it
doesn't work in the way you are used to GNOME working!

I also advise you not to evaluate the shell purely in terms of
efficiency. This is common for power users. They ask questions like: how
quickly can I do X? Or: how many clicks does it take to do Y? The shell
has been designed to fulfil more criteria than just efficiency. It is
supposed to provide an enjoyable user experience. It is supposed to be
satisfying to use, to look nice, etc. Consider all of those things when
you do try it again.

You should also consider that the shell has been designed to suit the
majority of users, not just power users. And you should also bear in
mind that it will be user tested - any problems that come up during
those tests will (hopefully) be addressed.

> For what it might be worth, I would like to be able to use the the
> present GNOME interface. I have installed GNOME Shell on Fedora 12 and
> tried it out, it looks and acts too much like Vista for my tastes.
> Please at least discuss keeping the option of the current GNOME as a
> Desktop. 

That will be an option. See here: http://live.gnome.org/GNOME3Myths

> Also could the subject of making the Number Lock turned on by default a
> default installation package be brought up? At present a user can
> install numlockx and it will do that. However KDE, Mac, Windows and
> other Desktops have this capability without having to install a separate
> program. I think it would make GNOME more "user friendly" if it was
> there from the get-go. 

This kind of problem is best reported as a bug with your distribution.
If you're using Fedora, check out this page:
https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/BugsAndFeatureRequests

You should also take a look at this bug report:
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=115909

Allan