Re: [Usability] Cross-Desktop UI Pattern Library

[Kirk Bridger <kbridger shaw ca>]

I think there are two paths to start down:

1 - Find a pattern library we all like and want to grow from/use.  "We all" being the various desktop teams.  This would be a cross-team initiative so we may need to start with just getting representation.

2 - Begin/continue building the Gnome library based on the existing pattern approach in the newest HIG.  There may be some changes made to the HIG page template if we look at it from the point of view of instantiating a pattern.  Reference the pattern rather than recreate it - delve into the details of the solution.


Perhaps a third path: document and clarify the difference between the two things.  Gain acceptance of this approach with other desktop teams, etc.


The third one might be the most important to start right now.  I'll certainly offer to help out with #3 to begin with!

How does this sound?  Any thoughts, refinements, or other ideas?


Kirk

On 09/07/2010 08:28 PM, Allan Caeg wrote:

I agree with Kirk. The two desktops can share the same UI patterns, but they may have different "components" or whatever it's called.

Where do you think can we start?

On Wed, Sep 8, 2010 at 1:44 AM, Kirk Bridger <kbridger shaw ca> wrote:

I'm actually tackling a similar problem in my "real job" right now.

I found this to be an interesting look at what a pattern library is and what it should not be.  It's a quick read that could then lead to an interesting discussion.

For example, button ordering might not belong at the level of a pattern as it doesn't really describe a problem and solution, but rather an implementation of a component (or whatever term can be used).

So perhaps the pattern library itself could be cross-desktop, and a more implementation-focused library be created for each of the various desktops?

If we're setting the pattern library to be so high level though it really behooves us to look at the other pattern libraries out there to see if we could just adopt an existing one rather than re-inventing the wheel.

Kirk

On 09/06/2010 11:28 PM, Allan Caeg wrote:

Hello!

Remember the Compliance to GNOME UI Patterns of Cross-Platform Apps thread? I emailed Celeste Lyn Paul from the KDE Usability team about the possibility of working on a cross-desktop UI Pattern library. This way, Cross-platform apps like Firefox would conform to UI patterns that are applicable to different desktop environments and it may mean more people working on the UI Pattern Library. Looks like she's interested.

How do you think can we do this? Also, who else (other than KDE usability) do we communicate with?

You can find Celeste's email below.

Best Regards,
Allan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Celeste Lyn Paul <celeste kde org>
Date: Sun, Sep 5, 2010 at 8:30 AM
Subject: Re: UI Patterns of Cross-Platform Apps
To: allancaeg ubuntu com


Hi Allan,

KDE has a few patterns listed in the HIG. It is a project we started 3
years ago, but lost the contributors who were working on them. I think
having a cross-desktop library of UI patterns is a great idea. Let me
know how Gnome plans on working this out with other projects.

~ Celeste

On Sat, Sep 4, 2010 at 1:19 PM, Celeste Lyn Paul <seele obso1337 org> wrote:
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone.
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: Allan Caeg <allancaeg ubuntu com>
> Date: September 3, 2010 2:50:06 EDT
> To: seele obso1337 org
> Subject: UI Patterns of Cross-Platform Apps

>
> Hello Celeste,
>
> The GNOME Usability Team is currently working on UI Patterns (see
> http://live.gnome.org/UsabilityProject/HIG3 ,
> http://live.gnome.org/User%20Interface%20Patterns , and
> http://pad.ubuntu-uk.org/ui-patterns). My work as the UX Advocate for
> Firefox exposed an issue related to it. I started a discussion with GNOME
> Usability people on whether or not cross-platform apps should follow the UI
> Patterns. They seem to agree that cross-platform apps should comply to the
> patterns.
>
> My concern now is for other environments especially KDE. I believe that we
> can work together in generating UI patterns. This way, we can make
> cross-platform apps comply so they will fit nicely in KDE and GNOME. I don't
> specialize in toolkits, but it seems that a shared UI Pattern Library could
> work.
>
> What do you think can we do? :)
>
> Best Regards,
> Allan Caeg
> http://www.google.com/profiles/allancaeg#about
>

--
Celeste Lyn Paul
KDE Usability Project
KDE e.V. Board of Directors
www.kde.org

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Allan
http://www.google.com/profiles/allancaeg#about
+63 918 948 2520