Toolbar Config [Was: sane defaults]

[Kurt Pfeifle]

On Wednesday 19 January 2005 13:46, Jakob Petsovits wrote:
> On Wednesday, 19 January 2005 11:19, David Faure wrote:
> > But I don't understand Jakob Petsovits' answer to that. This is about
> > per-user settings, just like toolbar editing.
> 
> I wanted to question the advantage of being able to edit toolbar button
> texts. If this is possible, distributors and users will all go and change 
> their button texts. That makes it even more difficult for telephonic user 
> support or to get something done on someone other's KDE, because you
> can't rely on the same button having the same text.

I can see your point.

The question however is: where do you draw the limiting line with
customizability?

You point could also be applied to everything else which is customizable.
Color themes? Icon themes? Kiosk settings? They all make it more difficult
to give phone support, or work with s.o. else's KDE. 

Gnome has decided for the other extreme. 

KDE should not give up the customizability. But it should somehow add a 
very easy way to go to one of 4 or 5 pre-defined "profiles" (where you
recognize everything because it is somehow "standard") and back to (one
of) the customized settings last used. So it could be a one-click action
to say "KDE: present yourself in a look scanty like Gnome!" and it will 
obey, and "KDE: be yourself again in your full richness!" and it will
do so....   ;-)

But maybe I am just dreaming.

> I think it should be up to the developers / UI designers to name their actions 
> understandable and short (so that they fit in the toolbar). If that is done, 
> there's no reason to let the user change the text just for the fun of it, 
> because it also brings the disadvantage mentioned above.
> Customizing is a good thing, but only if it enhances the user experience.

Each user has his own mind -- as long as he/she is a geek user, at
least. 

> Text editing doesn't bring any gains here, I think.
> 
> I hope this explained better what I wanted to say.
> 
> Regards,
>   Jakob
 
Cheers,
Kurt