A Violent Realisation [Was: Preferences]

[Jeff Waugh <jdub perkypants org>]

<quote who="Rui Miguel Silva Seabra">

> Windows is not terribly boalted in terms of settings...

Perhaps this is the critical misunderstanding: Most of us believe that
Windows *does* have too many settings, preferences, options... *and* too
many different places to set all of them.

  (Despite the many accusations,) We are not trying to replicate Windows or
  the Mac when we're removing esoteric options and gimmicks in GNOME: We are
  positively revolting against them.

I used to grok Windows almost entirely; I used it all the time, and kept up
with all of the changes and variations (see the umpteen million mail setup
interfaces and option names between minor versions of Outlook Express and
Outlook).

Now, there's too much. Far, far too much. I'm not interested in any of it; I
just want to get my work done. As do my clients.

So, are we writing a desktop for those who want to pissfart around with
settings, options and toys, or those who want to get real work done?

It's a loaded question; and you know which side of the fence I'm on. It's
very hard to convince someone who wants a computer to "get out of their face
and do what they mean" that lots of settings and options are a good idea.

  There needs to be a violent realisation that empowerment through usability
  far exceeds the possibility of empowerment through gimmickry. [1]

- Jeff

[1] The Marxist School of HCI.

-- 
                            Interplanetary Pants