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Ubuntu Unity usability testing results and analysis

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Re: Ubuntu Unity usability testing results and analysis

#13
post #5

Overall, pretty interesting. A lot of those are definitely usability bugs. I wish someone would do a comparison between mac os x, windows, ubuntu with the same tasks to see how they stacked up against each other. However: 5/11 participants (P2, P3, P5, P9, P10, P11) crashed Unity during their hour of testing. And towards the end of her test, P11 opened a zombie quicklist that stayed on top of everything and didn't re…

I have to disagree pretty vehemently. Are you running 11.04 beta2? I've been running it for months now and I LOVE Unity. I installed on my wife's machine, and while she doesn't love it (she really doesn't care one way or another about computers etc etc) she appreciates it in many ways. Though, the best way I can describe my wife's interaction with Unity is she gets less annoyed with it than she does/did with our iMac…

I can't thank you enough for pointing out Super+W.

Re: Ubuntu Unity usability testing results and analysis

#14
post #11

> P7 and P11 thought that "LibreOffice Calc" was a calculator "Calc" is just not a smart name for a spreadsheet application. > and P7 and P9 thought Ubuntu Software Center was the Recycle Bin. I understand that, because that is what the icon looks like.

Is there a good name for a spreadsheet application besides "Spreadsheet?"

"VisiCalc" was the first one on a PC, "Lotus 1-2-3" became popular later, "Excel" is now the dominant one...

Re: Ubuntu Unity usability testing results and analysis

#15
post #11

> P7 and P11 thought that "LibreOffice Calc" was a calculator "Calc" is just not a smart name for a spreadsheet application. > and P7 and P9 thought Ubuntu Software Center was the Recycle Bin. I understand that, because that is what the icon looks like.

Is there a good name for a spreadsheet application besides "Spreadsheet?" "VisiCalc" was the first one on a PC, "Lotus 1-2-3" became popular later, "Excel" is now the dominant one...

"Gnumeric" at least has something to do with the task, and "KSpread" is basically "spreadsheet"

Re: Ubuntu Unity usability testing results and analysis

#16
I run with a laptop (display on, but rarely used) connected to an external monitor. Linux assumes the laptop is the default, and changing the external to primary is next to impossible.

Unity puts everything important on the laptop display in this configuration. That alone is a deal breaker for me.

Note that Ubuntu Classic works perfectly in this setup. My panels go to the external monitor when it's plugged in, and move back to the laptop immediately when it's unplugged.

Unity (as it's currently designed) would pose some serious issues in a dual-display setup even if I could move it to the external monitor. As the launcher is stuck on the left, I'd be constantly overshooting it (laptop display is to the left).

Re: Ubuntu Unity usability testing results and analysis

#17
post #11

> P7 and P11 thought that "LibreOffice Calc" was a calculator "Calc" is just not a smart name for a spreadsheet application. > and P7 and P9 thought Ubuntu Software Center was the Recycle Bin. I understand that, because that is what the icon looks like.

Is there a good name for a spreadsheet application besides "Spreadsheet?" "VisiCalc" was the first one on a PC, "Lotus 1-2-3" became popular later, "Excel" is now the dominant one...

For windows users in particular, the bundled calculator is called calc.exe. That alone might create confusion. Besides, "Calc" does have a "Calculator" feel when you read it. A comparable thing would be to have a text editor named "Term", or "Conso". Any unix user might expect those to fire of a CLI, not an editor. This is comparable, IMO.

Re: Ubuntu Unity usability testing results and analysis

#18
post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have to disagree pretty vehemently. Are you running 11.04 beta2? I've been running it for months now and I LOVE Unity. I installed on my wife's machine, and while she doesn't love it (she really doesn't care one way or another about computers etc etc) she appreciates it in many ways. Though, the best way I can describe my wife's interaction with Unity is she gets less annoyed with it than she does/did with our iMac…

I can't thank you enough for pointing out Super+W.

They should make a special button for that on the launcher. It'd be much better than the workspaces button.

Re: Ubuntu Unity usability testing results and analysis

#19
Some of these are humbling. They reinforce how disconnected I-- a programmer-- am from the average person.

> P1 recovered amazingly well after trying to save "Letter to Mr Smith 08/04/11", and getting the vile response "Error stating file '/home/ubuntu/Documents/Letter to Mr Smith 08/04': No such file or directory"

That's something I'd never consider, what with various directory separators baked into my subconscious.

Re: Ubuntu Unity usability testing results and analysis

#20

Some of these are humbling. They reinforce how disconnected I-- a programmer-- am from the average person. > P1 recovered amazingly well after trying to save "Letter to Mr Smith 08/04/11", and getting the vile response "Error stating file '/home/ubuntu/Documents/Letter to Mr Smith 08/04': No such file or directory" That's something I'd never consider, what with various directory separators baked into my subconscious.

I appreciated the 'vile' comment very much -- this tester cares!!
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