Unity

Bug #668415
Comment #300

Comment 300 for bug 668415

Revision history for this message

Kevin Seifert (sevkeifert) wrote on 2012-05-26:

#300

Perhaps this bug report doesn't describe a technical problem, as much as it points to what politicians might call a "messaging" issue. Some people love the old interface and thought it was perfect. That means it's impossible to change it, because there's no way to improve on perfection.

Two possible remedies:

If the classic "gnome-panel" is still relatively bug free, I wonder if some of the complaints could be avoided if there was a prominent option to install this package for a classic desktop. Like a link to the package in the settings panel, or a popup message that shows clickable pictures of alternate desktop "themes" (even as simple as an HTML page). For at least six months, I was under the impression that the classic destop was gone for good. :) I just noticed it showing up after I tested out gnome 3.

Secondly, perhaps there could be a meta package that installs AWN (or dockey, ) and pre-configures it so it looks like a bottom bar. For the end-user, I do not think there are clear instructions on doing this aside from using Google for a half-hour and accidently stumbling on the information, to even become aware of the option.

After trying out various options, many people who are on the fence or not happy about a change may come to the conclusion that a new interface is easier to use. Though this is not necessarily a wasted communication effort. What is different is how people *feel* about a conclusion -- whether they feel they came to agree with a point of view, or whether they feel they had little choice in a matter. The second route triggers deep rooted hostile instincts in humans. :)

Also I'd suggest another launchpad label beside "won't fix." The word "won't" has very negative connotations, suggesting inflexibilty. Many comments have read this as "won't listen." A better label would convey the thought that it's is deemed costly or breaks other functionality or packages. Like "requesting 3rd party solution," "assigned to open source solution," "assigned to bounty," "requires budget," etc. In other words consider the difference in the two messages: "We aren't going to do this" versus "Sorry, we will need your help in adding this feature. It's currently out of the scope."

Perhaps this bug report doesn't describe a technical problem, as much as it points to what politicians might call a "messaging"  issue.  Some people love the old interface and thought it was perfect.  That  means it's impossible to change it, because there's no way to improve on perfection.

Two possible remedies:

If the classic "gnome-panel" is still relatively bug free, I wonder if some of the complaints could be avoided if there was a prominent option to install this package for a classic desktop.  Like a link to the package in the settings panel, or a popup message that shows clickable pictures of alternate desktop "themes" (even as simple as an HTML page).  For at least six months, I was under the impression that the classic destop was gone for good.  :)  I just noticed it showing up after I tested out gnome 3.

Secondly, perhaps there could be a meta package that installs AWN (or dockey, ) and pre-configures it so it looks like a bottom bar.   For the end-user, I do not think there are clear instructions on doing this aside from using Google for a half-hour and accidently stumbling on the information, to even become aware of the option.

After trying out various options, many people who are on the fence or not happy about a change may come to the conclusion that a new interface is easier to use.  Though this is not necessarily a wasted communication effort.   What is different is how people *feel* about a conclusion -- whether they feel they came to agree with a point of view, or whether they feel they had little choice in a matter.   The second route triggers deep rooted hostile instincts in humans.  :)

Also I'd suggest another launchpad label beside "won't fix."  The word "won't" has very negative connotations, suggesting inflexibilty.  Many comments have read this as "won't listen."  A better label would convey the thought that it's is deemed costly or breaks other functionality or packages.   Like "requesting  3rd party solution," "assigned to open source solution," "assigned to bounty," "requires budget," etc.   In other words consider the difference in the two messages: "We aren't going to do this"  versus "Sorry, we will need your help in adding this feature.  It's currently out of the scope."