Some Random Linux Usability Thoughts, or, Linux is not Windows
Some Linux design decisions seem like hangovers from Windows-land. But, unlike Windows, Linux does not need to be protected from itself, so why hang on to old habits?
Usability on desktop systems is difficult, because users have diverse needs and wants. Still, if we start from the premise that Linux is not Windows, some design decisions might flow more sensibly.
Let's start with my fave peeve, multiple clicks to power off a computer. Why? What's the worst thing that can happen? Say you turn it off by mistake. Big deal, just turn it back on. What is so perilous about this that it requires jumping through Windows-type hoops to make sure you really want to? Linux is not Windows-- it boots fast and is ready to go. Unlike Windows, which has all kinds of activity going on for several minutes after it appears to have started, and which gets in your way and slows everything down, so maybe you want some safeguards against a careless shutdown. Windows gets in your way with multiple nags and unhelpful messages; Linux doesn't need to imitate this. I make a shutdown icon bound to the poweroff command for one-click off, and so far nothing awful has happened.
Second peeve, not really a Linux peeve:
- Login or register to post comments
- Printer-friendly version
- 2643 reads
- PDF version
More in Tux Machines
- Highlights
- Front Page
- Latest Headlines
- Archive
- Recent comments
- All-Time Popular Stories
- Hot Topics
- New Members
digiKam 7.7.0 is releasedAfter three months of active maintenance and another bug triage, the digiKam team is proud to present version 7.7.0 of its open source digital photo manager. See below the list of most important features coming with this release. |
Dilution and Misuse of the "Linux" Brand
|
Samsung, Red Hat to Work on Linux Drivers for Future TechThe metaverse is expected to uproot system design as we know it, and Samsung is one of many hardware vendors re-imagining data center infrastructure in preparation for a parallel 3D world. Samsung is working on new memory technologies that provide faster bandwidth inside hardware for data to travel between CPUs, storage and other computing resources. The company also announced it was partnering with Red Hat to ensure these technologies have Linux compatibility. |
today's howtos
|
Recent comments
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago
1 year 11 weeks ago