One big thing that gnome did wrong is empty top bar. So much space wasted. Should be task bar instead.
Help Improve Gnome
21–30 of 82 posts
Re: Help Improve Gnome
#22I used to use GNOME for many years, mostly because it was the default on Ubuntu. Now it's one of my least favorite desktops, I'll use almost anything else. I got frustrated at the seemingly random, user-hostile, backwards-incompatible changes from one version to the next. From my rough memory: * The desktop icons and click-and-drag shortcuts got removed a few years ago. This is a GUI workflow that I've been using on…
> I think one version of Ubuntu GNOME obscured the login screen. I installed it, saw no login screen, clicked everywhere, but nothing happened. Just stared at a desktop wallpaper. If I recall, I eventually figured out that I had to swipe up a little arrow at the bottom of the screen, but using a mouse. Why? You can press any key to go past that screen.
Would you believe that it took me 1-2 years to figure that out? I swiped that little arrow awkwardly with my mouse for 1-2 years, before I accidentally hit a key to get that login screen. I think the issue was that I'm sitting in front of a graphical user interface, which to me means using a mouse. It never occurred to me that I had to hit a key on a keyboard to get a login screen on a graphical user interface.
I think that's when I cursed at GNOME, blew it away, and installed MATE.
Re: Help Improve Gnome
#23Earlier quoted context omitted.
> I think one version of Ubuntu GNOME obscured the login screen. I installed it, saw no login screen, clicked everywhere, but nothing happened. Just stared at a desktop wallpaper. If I recall, I eventually figured out that I had to swipe up a little arrow at the bottom of the screen, but using a mouse. Why? You can press any key to go past that screen.
Would you believe that it took me 1-2 years to figure that out? I swiped that little arrow awkwardly with my mouse for 1-2 years, before I accidentally hit a key to get that login screen. I think the issue was that I'm sitting in front of a graphical user interface , which to me means using a mouse . It never occurred to me that I had to hit a key on a keyboard to get a login screen on a graphical user interface. I t…
Now imagine yourself sending anonymous tracking data to Gnome: "wow, this user is so happy with the swipe-up login screen, he didn't use the any-key bypass for two years! This is a 100% cool feature". And with you, 500 users like you.
Meanwhile, the 10-20 users frustrated and asking in their forums to remove the feature are ignored, because anonymous data tells another story.
Re: Help Improve Gnome
#24Done that already a week ago! I not familiar with Python but the code is terse and looks fine and the information the collect looks reasonable.
Re: Help Improve Gnome
#25I wanted to help, but this tool doesn't collect any useful data IMO. Just queries the distribution, installed apps and the default browser. Full list here: https://gitlab.gnome.org/vstanek/gnome-info-collect/#client-... I don't see how this would actually help improve the parts of GNOME that need improvement.
It collects plenty of useful information for directing effort. Plenty of Gnome's online account information stuff gets analysed and the installed extension are queried. If the Gnome devs see that a particular extension is installed often (i.e. GsConnect, a sound output chooser that's actually useful, etc.) then they might build that feature into the system directly so users don't need extensions any more. I'm sure th…
It does seem focused on apps and extensions, but they can already get that data for the latter from the extensions portal (both popularity and actual installs). And the installed app stat is questionable, because it doesn't include any usage information.
I just think they could have gone way broader with the set of reported data, and the people willing to help wouldn't mind.
Re: Help Improve Gnome
#26I used to use GNOME for many years, mostly because it was the default on Ubuntu. Now it's one of my least favorite desktops, I'll use almost anything else. I got frustrated at the seemingly random, user-hostile, backwards-incompatible changes from one version to the next. From my rough memory: * The desktop icons and click-and-drag shortcuts got removed a few years ago. This is a GUI workflow that I've been using on…
> I eventually figured out that I had to swipe up a little arrow at the bottom of the screen, but using a mouse. Why? Forced swipes are one of the most disgusting feature ever; they are always configured with some kind of inertial threshold so that you need to do the exact movement the designer expected. On touchscreen they are even worse as sometimes if you are holding the device in an unusual way or have a cover th…
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Re: Help Improve Gnome
#27I used to use GNOME for many years, mostly because it was the default on Ubuntu. Now it's one of my least favorite desktops, I'll use almost anything else. I got frustrated at the seemingly random, user-hostile, backwards-incompatible changes from one version to the next. From my rough memory: * The desktop icons and click-and-drag shortcuts got removed a few years ago. This is a GUI workflow that I've been using on…
Why is GNOME like GNOME?
https://ometer.com/free-software-ui.html
I recommend to read this! You will understand a lot about GNOME. They learned a lesson to keep things simple for the user. But the reason for five clocks is probably, that neither provides the important preferences for a lot users.
Ubuntu
Please don't think that Ubuntu is using GNOME. It is a massively patched and themed version of GNOME, mixing package versions of current and older versions. And more important, for many years Ubuntu used Unity as UI and and own Login-Manager. Canonical is always doing something alone outside of community.
The good news
* Canonical helps GNOME since some years again and it has an positive effect, lots of performance improvements.
* GNOME is keyboard centric! I select applications windows by typing the application name. Why search if GNOME can find it?
* Luckliy GNOME removed the entire failed desktop metaphor from Microsoft Windows (arranging and searching icons you never see and never use because a windows is in front of it).
* And the SystemTray (Microsoft tries to hide it since Windows XP). Either your a silent daemon or an application with an CLI, TUI or GUI.
* GNOME is incredible friendly to new users which doesn't expect things already in a specific way.
* They learned a lot and re-added features. Like the awesome file type-and-find in Nautilus.
GNOME tends to remove features and options before an appropriate replacement is ready. The often assume what users need based on their personal usage, which is not identical. Known examples are the removal of transparency from the terminal (patches available!) or the hidden setting to avoid suspend on LID-CLOSE. As noted already above, it looks like they learned somewhat and keep improving :)
Re: Help Improve Gnome
#28I used to use GNOME for many years, mostly because it was the default on Ubuntu. Now it's one of my least favorite desktops, I'll use almost anything else. I got frustrated at the seemingly random, user-hostile, backwards-incompatible changes from one version to the next. From my rough memory: * The desktop icons and click-and-drag shortcuts got removed a few years ago. This is a GUI workflow that I've been using on…
I'm with you. Over the years Gnome pushed me away with the ambitious but undesired UX. It reminded me of M$ forcing Windows 8 tiles. I'm just happy that linux gives me plenty of options for distros and desktops. I've never even considered gnome a problem because I just don't use it.
I have the opposite sentiment.
Gnome enabled me to finally switch to linux on a tablet pc (cant justify owning a desktop, and got tired of laptop ergonomics). It started to come together in the past year or so between gnome 40 and adwaita.
I do think some of the moee familiar desktop paradigm extensions (dash to dock) should be enabled by default though.
Re: Help Improve Gnome
#29No need for a tool, it is quite easy. Stop using JavaScript all over the place, use compiled languages. Don't outsource basic features to extensions, or third party tools. Bring basic stuff like thumbnails and desktop folders back.
Basically
1. Don't remove stuff people use
2. Don't add stuff nobody wants
Re: Help Improve Gnome
#30I used to use GNOME for many years, mostly because it was the default on Ubuntu. Now it's one of my least favorite desktops, I'll use almost anything else. I got frustrated at the seemingly random, user-hostile, backwards-incompatible changes from one version to the next. From my rough memory: * The desktop icons and click-and-drag shortcuts got removed a few years ago. This is a GUI workflow that I've been using on…
> The desktop icons and click-and-drag shortcuts got removed a few years ago. This is a GUI workflow that I've been using on Windows, MacOS, Atari OS, Amiga OS, going back to the 1980s. Gone.
Gnome hasn't had desktop icons for 11 years. I think you must've been using a third party plugin.