Re: Default configuration for the Panel

["Juliano Soares dos Santos" <juliano eps ufsc br>]

> It might be worth considering a global configuration wizard to be run
> the first time a new user logs in. This could be used to configure not
> just panels, but also preferences for the WM and so on. Obviously there
> should still be a sensible set of defaults to build on, as well as a
> well placed 'use defaults' button on the first page.
>
> I think that, if well designed (big if), such a wizard would be helpful
> not only in giving new users a comfortable initial setup but also in
> acquainting them with the general structure of the GNOME environment
> ("Now we will configure your panels. Panels are used for launching
> applications and for displaying information such as running tasks or the
> current time.") and where to go to change things later ("To change these
> settings later, right click on the panel and go to panel->properties.").
> This wouldn't be absolutely succesful of course, but even a little
> orientation would be better than the empty desktop they are confronted
> with now. Somewhere on developer.gnome.org is a little summary of a Sun
> usability test: most of the participants had a hard time doing something
> simple like adding a different clock to the panel, or even knowing what
> the foot menu did. Clearly some of the blame lies with the interface,
> but a little orientation will always be necessary for migrating users.
>
> I think this is an often overlooked solution to the more general problem
> of having lots of options for advanced users, but still allowing novices
> some flexibility as well. Going through a well designed wizard once or
> twice ought to give even a novice enough orientation to find and tweak
> individual settings later on, even if they don't know what absolutely
> every checkbox in the options dialog does.
>
> Just a thought.

I think that's a good idea, but need some discussion.
Like, you know, at the same time you are configuring, you are taking a tour
and generally that tours sucks.
But definitively we can create something useful and like you said "power
users" can just click 'use defaults' button on the first page.


Juliano Soares dos Santos