Please Google, let us revert to the classic Gmail look • Hacker News Board

Re: Please Google, let us revert to the classic Gmail look

#41

Post by LeoPanthera » Sun, Sep 30, 2018, 6:11 AM UTC

djsumdog wrote: post #39

dreamcompiler wrote: post #26

Same thing happened with Google maps a couple of years ago. They changed the UI to one a lot less functional, gave users an option to use the old UI for a while, then took it away. Now we're stuck with gmaps that are much worse than they used to be. Product managers at Google (and everywhere else) don't get promoted for leaving good products alone.

The layout takes up more of the screen, which I kinda like, but my issue was always how terrible terribly slow it is now. It's so laggy, compared to competitors like Here and OSM. The Fruit co could probably give Google a run if they opened up a web version. Google Maps on Android is almost entirely unusable now. It's so god damn slow on my Sony Z5c running Lineage. The combination of Maps and Google Services updates…

> The Fruit co could probably give Google a run if they opened up a web version.

This isn't how Apple works. They make money from hardware sales - so there is a native app version of Apple Maps for both iOS and macOS. (And, with the recent updates, it is pretty damn great.)

Re: Please Google, let us revert to the classic Gmail look

#42

Post by manquer » Sun, Sep 30, 2018, 6:11 AM UTC

flattone wrote: post #20

dpcan wrote: post #5

Interesting. I switched to the new Gmail, and I actually can't remember what the old one looked like already. I'm sure Google will do just fine ignoring all these requests and their billion+ users will adapt.

I got in a bad car accident. Neck back hurt. I can't remember what it felt like before. Not sure I'm better off now.

You are not.. the car manufacturer is better off , since you can't remember it is their flault..

Re: Please Google, let us revert to the classic Gmail look

#43

Post by JamesAdir » Sun, Sep 30, 2018, 6:12 AM UTC

The UI is horrible and it has already been discussed in many places, but to me the slowness is the no.1 problem. I thought it was just a hiccup when they had it on optional mode, but now it's plain slow. I've tried on different connections and different browsers and they all seem to generate the same result. Super slow loading times of the interface and the emails. I still remember when gmail was the fastest kid on the block or when they've optimized chrome for a faster gmail. But now I'm really looking into alternatives. Last week I've switched from chrome to firefox because of the synced login thing, and gmail will be a bit more complex to change instantly but I'll surely find a way.

Re: Please Google, let us revert to the classic Gmail look

#44

Post by TheSpiceIsLife » Sun, Sep 30, 2018, 6:12 AM UTC

I don’t consider there to be anything technically interesting here, neither with regard to design. Flag and move on.

As others have mentioned: a vocal minority always dislike UI changes, but in six months it will be the new normal.

One thing I will say though, it’s starting to look like we’ve run out of good UI changes and what we’re served up now is the refried beans / day old reheated leftovers of UI design.

Anyway, the elephant in the room is: move away from Gmail / free email services. Email, for me, is way too important to have no paid support.

Re: Please Google, let us revert to the classic Gmail look

#45

Post by miles » Sun, Sep 30, 2018, 6:13 AM UTC

If you've got a reasonably fast connection and machine, the "load basic HTML (for slow connections)" link at bottom right disappears almost instantly when loading the Gmail web interface.

You can use this direct link to the basic HTML version:

http://mail.google.com/mail/h/

but Google's not quite done with you yet, presenting this message along with two buttons:

Do you really want to use HTML Gmail?

You’re about to use a version of Gmail designed for slower connections and legacy browsers. To get all of Gmail’s features, including inbox categories, images, and quick actions, please use the latest version of Gmail (recommended).

Take me to latest Gmail | I'd like to use HTML Gmail

Selecting the latter button allows you to enjoy an interface from a simpler time.

Re: Please Google, let us revert to the classic Gmail look

#46

Post by _ttg » Sun, Sep 30, 2018, 6:13 AM UTC

Nicksil wrote: post #38

badminton1 wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This only means many users are upset. But even if they were 100,000, that would be a small fraction of the user base and you could still say the user base is either indifferent or satisfied with the change.

>But even if they were 100,000 That would still be representative. A sample. I don't understand your argument.

A sample but a self-selected, louder sample. I would bet the overwhelming majority of users are indifferent to the change.

Re: Please Google, let us revert to the classic Gmail look

#47

Post by djsumdog » Sun, Sep 30, 2018, 6:14 AM UTC

In 2012 I switched back to running my own e-mail. I realize there are reliability issues sending stuff out to Google/Microsoft (and yes, I have the correct DKIM, SPF and DMARC records), but I'm still happier running my own.

I use Thunderbird and Roundcube, but I could also use Evolution if I wanted to or Microsoft Mail on my Windows machine or even fire up Squirlmail in a docker container.

Re: Please Google, let us revert to the classic Gmail look

#48

Post by chii » Sun, Sep 30, 2018, 6:14 AM UTC

sidcool wrote: post #28

alphakappa wrote: post #11

Everyone hates UI changes. Wait 6 months and it will be the new normal.

I may be over generalizing but this is so true. The same People will yearn for the existing UI when you Google updates it six months down the line.

> I may be over generalizing but this is so true.

may be the existing UI works fine, and having invested the effort in using it only to be forced to abandon it once again.

Imagine if a car manufacturer keeps changing the wheel and the pedals around.

Re: Please Google, let us revert to the classic Gmail look

#49

Post by sandov » Sun, Sep 30, 2018, 6:15 AM UTC

That's what we get for still using gmail in 2018. I'm migrating to paid email next month.

Re: Please Google, let us revert to the classic Gmail look

#50

Post by nazri1 » Sun, Sep 30, 2018, 6:15 AM UTC

nemothekid wrote: post #8

My biggest problem with the new UI is the font. Roboto, or whatever font they are using, is terrible to read a lot of small text. I wish the font could be set to Helvetica or disable web fonts for Gmail.

With the old UI I don’t have to scroll down to see the labels that I frequently go to. The new UI uses a heavier font that the labels list takes up more vertical space than they used to which is becoming a nag for me.