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Desktop Neo – rethinking the desktop interface for productivity

desktopneo.com

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Re: Desktop Neo – rethinking the desktop interface for productivity

#21

Post by radlad »

froh42 wrote: post #6

Hmm, isn't that "just" a tiling window manager at the bottom of a few other nice things? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiling_window_manager While feeling the shortcomings of a window system, I never felt like I could productively work with a tiling manager, since I frequently overlap windows as a mechanism for easy access ... and there are lots of popup windows I don't want to cover the main application. Oh yes, and…

> I never felt like I could productively work with a tiling manager, since I frequently overlap windows as a mechanism for easy access

Part of the idea of most tiling window managers is that you use the keyboard to control them, not the mouse. As such, you no longer need to overlap windows to quickly switch to the one you want. You have keybinds to do so (which actually exist in the default Windows and OSX window manager as well.)

Re: Desktop Neo – rethinking the desktop interface for productivity

#22

Post by oscargrouch »

froh42 wrote: post #6

Hmm, isn't that "just" a tiling window manager at the bottom of a few other nice things? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiling_window_manager While feeling the shortcomings of a window system, I never felt like I could productively work with a tiling manager, since I frequently overlap windows as a mechanism for easy access ... and there are lots of popup windows I don't want to cover the main application. Oh yes, and…

I think this is just a question of somebody do it right. We just dont use this right now, because what we have now is too crude. But give it the right number of iteration trials, and im pretty sure a tiling window manager can be competitive, and more so, in a more touch oriented desktop.

My hunch is that its just lacking a good amount of iterations. Our modern windowed desktop didnt came out ready either. So give this some love, and im sure something really cool and usable, can bootstrap from this.

Re: Desktop Neo – rethinking the desktop interface for productivity

#24

Post by fuzzywalrus »

tomc1985 wrote: post #12

The problem with the tablet analogy is nobody seems to know how to design complex, professional-level (like Photoshop, or Blender) applications in that paradigm. Tablet apps are overwhelmingly consumption-oriented, and those that aren't all seem to be oriented around popular (and populist) appeal. Why is everyone out for the blood of the desktop/windows paradigm? Why can't the simplified-tablet market and the desktop…

Agreed, the folder metaphor works as its a direct visualization of the hierarchy of the computer.

Re: Desktop Neo – rethinking the desktop interface for productivity

#25

Post by wnevets »

tomc1985 wrote: post #12

The problem with the tablet analogy is nobody seems to know how to design complex, professional-level (like Photoshop, or Blender) applications in that paradigm. Tablet apps are overwhelmingly consumption-oriented, and those that aren't all seem to be oriented around popular (and populist) appeal. Why is everyone out for the blood of the desktop/windows paradigm? Why can't the simplified-tablet market and the desktop…

> Why is everyone out for the blood of the desktop/windows paradigm?

Honestly I think a large part is because microsoft dominations the desktop market and is failing in the tablet market.

Re: Desktop Neo – rethinking the desktop interface for productivity

#26

Post by jplur »

goalieca wrote: post #9
imonabout wrote: post #4

I'm presuming you've researched tiling window managers as part of your work on this?

This looks to me like an evolution of tiling windows manager with a flair of mobile/touch. Something makes me think that windows and macos are both headed in this direction in the long term.

Wouldn't mind a web browser with a tiling UI.

Re: Desktop Neo – rethinking the desktop interface for productivity

#29

Post by rocky1138 »

First paragraph in and I'm already not their customer:

"We now use smartphones and tablets most of the time, since they are much easier to use."

No. Just no. I don't want to use a touchscreen and closed ecosystem to develop software. That would be a nightmare.

The rest of the design seems to be taken straight from 10/GUI.

Re: Desktop Neo – rethinking the desktop interface for productivity

#30

Post by ddingus »

radlad wrote: post #21
froh42 wrote: post #6

Hmm, isn't that "just" a tiling window manager at the bottom of a few other nice things? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiling_window_manager While feeling the shortcomings of a window system, I never felt like I could productively work with a tiling manager, since I frequently overlap windows as a mechanism for easy access ... and there are lots of popup windows I don't want to cover the main application. Oh yes, and…

> I never felt like I could productively work with a tiling manager, since I frequently overlap windows as a mechanism for easy access Part of the idea of most tiling window managers is that you use the keyboard to control them, not the mouse. As such, you no longer need to overlap windows to quickly switch to the one you want. You have keybinds to do so (which actually exist in the default Windows and OSX window man…

Seeing more than one at a time is high value.

I personally hate the basic tile schemes, and full screen in many of my use cases. Yes, when I'm using one app hard, full screen is good.

When I'm using multiple ones, I often want to copy paste info, or just refer to it. Auto pop to foreground is toxic, it forces a change in state when there is no need for that change most of the time.

On IRIX, focus follows mouse, and middle button copy paste were awesome. Still prefer that over other schemes.

Many people get a second screen to accomplish what can very easily be done with one a lot of the time.

Tablets are fine consumption devices. Some create is there, like graphics, but most create has UX requirements that exceed the simple touch sweet spots.

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