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List:       kde-core-devel
Subject:    Re: Gnome Article on UI Design on /.
From:       "Aaron J. Seigo" <aseigo () olympusproject ! org>
Date:       2002-04-22 12:41:54
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On April 21, 2002 06:43 pm, Nick Papadonis wrote:
>   - Too many 'neat' features are being introduced to the source tree
> without fixing long lived bugs or interface problems.

a) this a free software project, people will work on what they want to
b) bugs are getting fixed, interface problems are being addressed
c) you have the ultimate power to help in this regard

>   - There are simply TOO many configurable options in the control
> center.  Time to take the MS Windows approach, leave the most common
> preferences here and place other in a registry (or config file).

there are indeed some options where this is probably the best thing. but it 
would be better IMO to try two other approaches first:

 o make the existing configuration options more accessable through better 
layouts, descriptions, simplifications etc ...

 o move the more esoteric settings into an "Advanced" tab or dialog

it is far easier to simply remove things, i know. but writing good software 
isn't always simple.

>   - These configurable settings are a result of the inability to side
> with a single idea.  Maybe the most popular ideas should be sided with
> ( vote ) and others be a hidden option for users?

why do you think it is hard to side with a "single idea"? probably because 
different people work in vastly diferent ways/methods/environments. so you 
end up with a large chunk of people who need/want it something one way, and a 
large chunk who want it another. you can either have a niche product, cripple 
the interface for many users, or be configurable.

-- 
Aaron Seigo
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