Gnome 3 usability - one user's comments

[Mikus Grinbergs <mikus bga com>]

Been using Linux for years.  Started using Gnome 3 when Fedora 15 was 
released.  I've concluded that I'm NOT in the audience for which the 
Gnome 3 concepts were targeted. [In contrast, Gnome 2 served me well.]


 *  HUMAN INTERFACE:
I started in computers when the keyboard was the only user interface 
available.  It's taken me decades to get accustomed to using a mouse.
Now the current Gnome 3 seems to be reverting to "keyboard shortcuts" as 
the answer for "how to navigate quickly".  Not something I welcome.

 *  INHERITANCE OF USER'S EXPERIENCE:
I'd like to stress that Gnome 2 worked well for me.  With the current 
Gnome 3 implementation, navigation has changed.  I fail to see the 
attraction of replacing the set of navigation gestures an experienced 
user knows with something different, when the new set of navigation 
gestures is less efficient.

 *  NAVIGATION:
Gnome 3 primarily supports the user's navigation to an 'Application'. 
In contrast, I organize my on-computer work into 'Contexts' - each 
supported by its own virtual desktop.  So my most important navigation 
need is quick workspace switching.  [Using a mouse, on Gnome 3 that 
takes me multiple clicks.]

 *  FACILITATE UNINTERRUPTED FOCUS:
Gnome 3 has removed the Workspace Switcher from the screen where the 
user works.  Those who have been using Linux for a while have learned 
NOT to be distracted by a switcher on the same screen as their work -- 
but out-of-the-box, the current Gnome 3 seems not to support how 
experienced users work.

 *  PARALLEL APPLICATIONS:
Gnome 3 primarily expects navigation to "one Application instance".
In contrast, I run multiple instances of applications (I typically have 
more than a dozen Terminal windows, three Browser windows, multiple 
PDF-readers, etc.), scattered as appropriate among at least six 
'Contexts' (i.e., workspaces).

 *  MAKE IT EASY TO DO SOMETHING NEW:
In Gnome 2, if while working with one Application I wanted to open 
something else, it took one click within the panel on that same screen. 
 Out-of-the-box, the current Gnome 3 requires invoking a second screen 
to launch that additional window (and perhaps multiple clicks within 
that second screen).

 *  WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW:
Sometimes when I am using an Application, a second window gets opened by 
that Application - but gets hidden behind the original window.  In Gnome 
2, I could at a glance see (in the Window Selector) how many windows 
were open in that workspace.  The current Gnome 3 requires invoking a 
second screen to be able to see how many windows are open.


mikus



p.s.  My eyesight will never win a prize.  But I *cannot* see the time 
in the default Gnome 3 top bar, unless I lean close to the screen. 
'gnome-tweak-tool' has problems on my 32-bit Fedora 15 system.  If/when 
it works better, I'll be replacing the Gnome theme.  Having a "Gnome 3 
experience" - doesn't excite me.  Seeing the time - that's what I need.

pps.  The button to show Application icons (vs. Window images) is near 
the LEFT of the Overview screen.  But the menu to filter which 
Application icons will be displayed is near the RIGHT of the Overview 
screen.  For users with large monitors, it would be more convenient if 
the menu to filter which Application icons get displayed were directly 
under the button that switches the Overview screen to Application mode.