Comments on: Things I miss on the Ubuntu desktop http://tewha.net/2006/10/things-i-miss-on-the-ubuntu-desktop/ Writings and links on iPhone and iPad programming Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:21:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Steven Fisher http://tewha.net/2006/10/things-i-miss-on-the-ubuntu-desktop/comment-page-1/#comment-75 Steven Fisher Tue, 17 Oct 2006 05:22:46 +0000 http://objectsatrest.com/2006/10/things-i-miss-on-the-ubuntu-desktop/#comment-75 <p>The menu bar is definitely a slam dunk; it becomes muscle memory. The only better alternative is to have a full menu bar available as a radial on a right click.</p> The menu bar is definitely a slam dunk; it becomes muscle memory. The only better alternative is to have a full menu bar available as a radial on a right click.

]]> By: mx http://tewha.net/2006/10/things-i-miss-on-the-ubuntu-desktop/comment-page-1/#comment-74 mx Tue, 17 Oct 2006 05:04:00 +0000 http://objectsatrest.com/2006/10/things-i-miss-on-the-ubuntu-desktop/#comment-74 <p>Mac users love their top menu bar. While I've dabbled in Mac-land, I've <em>never</em> found it especially helpful (nor have I found it annoying). While research shows that it is efficient, that research was conducted in the 80s, where many aspects (both social and technical) have changed.</p> <p>Is my anecdotal agnosticism proof? Of course not. But, I don't think it's the no-brainer the Mac heads have insisted it is. Perhaps as a Mac user you could consider that your affection for the top-menu might just be that you're used to it?</p> <p>I've found (again anecdotal) that I can be productive with nearly any UI setup, some more than most even. My best measure is to try, wait until I've absorbed, measure, rinse, and repeat as many times as possible. I've tried many interface styles and layouts, and I continue to try what I've already discared (in case I missed something). And I have missed things, repeatedly. That's part of being human I guess, and a reminder for me to keep an open mind.</p> <p>Windows ain't half bad, given a few basic habits. Most Unix window managers can be good too. Life without a window manager can be quite productive (screen anyone?) I can even remember being productive on my Atari 800 (and 1040ST). And on a Mac, with all of it's smooth, shiny, bouncy things, I have found productivity.</p> <p>But really, in the end, the greatest limitation of my own productivity has always been me. Give me a sheet of paper, a good day, and a great idea, and I can create pretty much anything.</p> Mac users love their top menu bar. While I’ve dabbled in Mac-land, I’ve never found it especially helpful (nor have I found it annoying). While research shows that it is efficient, that research was conducted in the 80s, where many aspects (both social and technical) have changed.

Is my anecdotal agnosticism proof? Of course not. But, I don’t think it’s the no-brainer the Mac heads have insisted it is. Perhaps as a Mac user you could consider that your affection for the top-menu might just be that you’re used to it?

I’ve found (again anecdotal) that I can be productive with nearly any UI setup, some more than most even. My best measure is to try, wait until I’ve absorbed, measure, rinse, and repeat as many times as possible. I’ve tried many interface styles and layouts, and I continue to try what I’ve already discared (in case I missed something). And I have missed things, repeatedly. That’s part of being human I guess, and a reminder for me to keep an open mind.

Windows ain’t half bad, given a few basic habits. Most Unix window managers can be good too. Life without a window manager can be quite productive (screen anyone?) I can even remember being productive on my Atari 800 (and 1040ST). And on a Mac, with all of it’s smooth, shiny, bouncy things, I have found productivity.

But really, in the end, the greatest limitation of my own productivity has always been me. Give me a sheet of paper, a good day, and a great idea, and I can create pretty much anything.

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