[Panel-devel] Future of the KDE desktop

[Aaron J. Seigo]

On Wednesday 01 June 2005 03:36, Alexander Wiedenbruch wrote:
> Perhaps it is not the right list for my topic...

this is the right topic for panel development. however, it's a member only 
posting list, so i have to OK your postings unless you subscribe. also note 
that i'd like to keep this list high in signal and low on noise. that means 
while input is always welcome, input from people actually getting involved at 
some level (e.g. putting some sort of work into it)) is doubly welcome.

> As I understand you want to try to add new features, cleanups and eyecandy
> to kicker or better to the whole KDE desktop.
> But as I understand the basic concept is staying: a "start-button" for
> apps, a task bar, a system tray.

for 3.5, yes.

> So, why don't try something new? I think that the KDE desktop has an
> opportunity here.

because 3.5 isn't the time to do this. 4.0 gives us more possibilities.

at the same time, if we completely destroy familiarity we will alienate the 
largest body of users: those who are currently (and will in the future be) 
migrating from MS Windows.

being different for difference's sake is not worthy, and many of the current 
metaphores are not so broken that they need something completetely new IMHO. 
we are looking at radical surgery for applets, panel management, the kmenu 
and the desktop in kde4, however.

> But I think it is better for future of KDE to create a new way of handling
> these things. I think KDE needs a new user interface concept.

you forgot to add "only when the current one is broken and the new one 
addresses that brokenness with something demonstrably and immediatley 
superior".

> It has to be different from OS X or Windows.

if people chose their desktop based on uniqueness, sure. but they don't. 
desktops are selected for various metrics of "power": what can i do with the 
applications? how usable is it? how familiar is it to things i already know? 
different sells to a tiny segment of the population who are counterculture 
types.

now if you are worried about BRANDING, well that's what we have artwork, 
colours and our applications for.

> So users can identify, "yes,  
> this is a KDE desktop", but is has to be usable and allow easy migration of
> users.

the easiest migration is the one that is familiar. that's a sad but true fact 
of life. this does not mean that we shouldn't try and innovate (hardly!) but 
it does mean that we should avoid change-for-change's-sake completely.

> A new User Interface would also keep away the Microsoft lawyers. 

lol.. UI related patents are far more fundamental and common than you may 
think =((

> I think you have discussed this topic earlier and have good arguments about
> the changes you propose, but I really like to see something new and this
> mail is just a motivation to try something new. I know you will do a good

i totally appreciate the time you took to draft this and idea that you want to 
encourage us. that's awesome. we will do our best to reward your hopes and 
faith in us with KDE4.

it is going to kick ass, make no mistake ;)

-- 
Aaron J. Seigo
GPG Fingerprint: 8B8B 2209 0C6F 7C47 B1EA  EE75 D6B7 2EB1 A7F1 DB43
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