Discuss UI Design With Me

Originally posted at http://rethinking.squarespace.com

Published on July 6, 2005 By Tory Larson In Personal Computing

I'm a user-interface nut. Usability is of paramount importance to me. That's the number one reason I switched back to windows from linux. Stop laughing. *g* Usability in applications, that is...not usability in the os interface. Windows' primary fault in its UI is that it is somewhat rigid. Either you do things the MS way...or you have to switch shells. Programs like Stardock's ObjectBar are changing that...but sometimes too many option aren't good, either. The number one thing I miss about KDE, however, was it's flexibility.

So, I'm doing a bit of a user study. I'd like to do this stuff professionally, someday. For now, we'll start here. And I need your help.

Leave a comment below about your experiences and frustrations with computer OS UI. I'm not talking about programs here--I'm talking about the way you *launch* programs and manage them once they're running. What have you found that works well for you? What do you hate about the UI you're using now, regardless of OS? They all have strengths, they all have weaknesses...let's discuss them. What would your dream UI look like? What would it be able to do?

Comments

Ryan Vincent

on Jul 07, 2005

Simple but sleek with a built in editing tool to make anything happen.

Mmm...Fantasy

Tory Larson

on Jul 07, 2005

Great idea, Ryan; well-put. Start out really basic and easy to use, but include the tools for the power user to make it really POWERFUL. DesktopX would be perfect for an application like this. Instead of a Start Menu/Panel concept, we have a Start Screen or Page...yeah. Now you've got me thinking...

thomassen

on Jul 07, 2005

I'll get back to you over the weekend. (Busy with long hour days at work atm.) I find this interesting too. Will you publish your finding here when the time comes?

Reppiks

on Jul 07, 2005

Instead of icons in the system tray, a text based hidable side bar that would show not just the application but the document(s) that are opened also. This could be something semi transparent that would slide out on hitting the screen border, or stay visible along side of your current task. This would free up the taskbar for other kinds of information weather it be system stats., a stock monitor, task timer, or other things that one would like to keep current on.

starkers

on Jul 08, 2005

User options and greater flexibility built in....as in to have or have not. For example, built in auto-hide for desktop icons for those who have many and don't want a cluttered desktop. Perhaps a built in widget or object containing one click access to essential system tools and settings. System monitors for CPU and RAM, etc, could be built into this or be visible from the taskbar, via a popup or something.

Good luck with your research, hope this is what you're looking for

Community AT Work

on Jul 08, 2005

Actually, after Stardock, I am fine with Windows OS

Even the one thing that bothered me (the dialog box not having a folder I always want to go to selected by me) is in beta on Stardock Central.

I can do whatever I want between Windowblinds, DesktopX, Object Bar and Icon Packager.

Tory Larson

on Jul 08, 2005

thomassen wrote:
Will you publish your finding here when the time comes?

Count on it. It will probably be an evolving discussion.

Sir Reppiks wrote:
Instead of icons in the system tray, a text based hidable side bar that would show not just the application but the document(s) that are opened also.

I've been toying around with a similar idea. Although, according to Fitts's Law, an autohiding bar is very non-intuitive and slow. It's better to have a visible target for the mouse--and certainly much faster. But the idea of apps and documents on a side bar is a good idea--a little bit like the NeXT Dock, except better. The NeXT Dock had some major problems.

starkers wrote:
User options and greater flexibility built in....as in to have or have not.

Good stuff. That's what I want. Thank you! I've been thinking of something different, perhaps when the PC is started for the first time--a short questionnaire similar to what Windows currently gives you when you boot the first time, except centered around "what do you want to do with this PC." Questions about user experience level, etc. You'd end up with a UI then like the Windows XP default control panel--which is great for novices. Power Users hate it--but the questionnaire would help determine whether to give you a power user UI or the "appliance" UI. Let's face it--most average consumers view their PC as an appliance, like a toaster or a TV. They expect it to be just that easy to use, as well. What can we do to get ourselves there?

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