obso1337.org

Ah printing. The printer configuration UI in Kubuntu is like a love-hate relationship: you get everything you need — and then more than you ask, until it becomes overwhelming and you say “f**k this” and walk out. OK, maybe it isn’t that bad (especial if you’ve seen system-config-printer), but it was certainly in need of some therapy. At FOSSCamp this past weekend, Jonathan (the mutual friend in my analogy) asked if I (the therapist) would take a look at the configuration UI and work up something better looking with my mojo (working in the analogy is harder than I thought, so I’ll just let it rest).

Once I got back from Boston, I took some time to break down the different options in both the Kubuntu and Ubuntu config interfaces and used some of what I’ve learned from the OpenPrinting project to come up with a simpler interface. I am a huge fan of using KDE Pages to manage information hierarchy. The new interface is also roughly within the KDE4 HIG recommended dialog size of 800×600 max (some Kubuntu configuration dialogs are notoriously large) using a standard 9pt system font . This afternoon, Jonathan and I got a chance to review the wireframes which resulted in some minor changes (mostly audience-related) and the final interface proposal.

Wireframe images of the proposed Kubuntu printer configuration user interface (PDF 42KB):

seele :: Oct.31.2007 :: Design, General, KDE/Kubuntu :: 16 Comments »

This past weekend, I flew up to Boston for FOSSCamp, and un-conference for getting open source projects together. These frequent community meetings give an important opportunity for designers to work out interface and usability problems with developers.

One of the major points on my agenda was to get together with the correct people and discuss the results from the user-based testing I conducted on the Kubuntu installation process. This feedback was also beneficial to Ubuntu since ubiquity is pretty similar for both projects.

Basically I did as I do with any of my clients and briefed everyone on the study and reviewed the results and recommendations. Rather than dumping a 30 page report in someone’s mailbox for them to hopefully read one day, the face-to-face meeting gave developers an opportunity to ask questions about the issues and recommendations and discuss alternative designs for fixing the problems. This one hour meeting accomplished what takes hours of email and IRC communication and days of correspondence. Hopefully, it will result in a more usable installation process.

seele :: Oct.30.2007 :: General, KDE/Kubuntu, Usability :: No Comments »

The model makes a point by wearing his heart on his sleeve, er, rear. The lovely view is thanks to a friend who went to Adobe MAX earlier this month.

seele :: Oct.25.2007 :: Design, General, Humor :: No Comments »

It is quite often I get requests for reading lists from new designers and developers interested in design. Besides listing the books I have sitting next to me in my book case, usually I can rattle off a few web resource sites which keep track of books, blogs, papers, and articles which can be educational. Unfortunately some of these sites are hard to find if you don’t know where they are and don’t keep up to date. So I figured I would write about a design/interface book I think a lot of people in the OSS community could find value in.

Designing Interfaces by Jenifer Tidwell is a book which covers all aspects of interface design (including some interaction), presenting rules and patterns applicable to both web and client interfaces. Although an OReilly book, it is a far cry from the text and reference book style familiar to the publisher. (If you are familiar with the New Riders books, this is the style the book closest represents). It is an easy read with relaxed language, practical book layout, and lots of pictures. The contents might be a bit light for experienced designers, but I think there those learning about design will have a lot to take away.

Gui Bloopers by Jeff Johnson used to be a book that was often cited as a good and fun introduction to interface design, but it has become a bit dated. There is a new version of the GUI Bloopers book (GUI Bloopers 2.0). I have not yet read this book, but if it is anything like the first book it should be at least entertaining. If you have read this book, let me know what you think.

seele :: Oct.23.2007 :: Design, General :: 1 Comment »

I will be attending FOSSCamp in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA October 27th and 28th. A weekend is a long enough time to attack some known interface issues as long as discuss the future of usability in OSS and how to progress OSS design in the future. Here are a few things I’d like to cover while I’m there:

• The general state of usability and design in OSS and where to go from there
• How to plan, fund, and conduct user-centered and user-based studies
• Discussion of specific design problems such as partitioning, printing, security, etc.
• The upcoming KDE4 release and how it effects KDE-focused projects

Since this will be the weekend before Halloween and Samhain, there should be some festivities in and around the area. Halloween is especially popular in Boston (perhaps due to the Salem witch trials in the 17th and 18th centuries). Don’t forget your Halloween costumes!

seele :: Oct.15.2007 :: Design, General, Open Source :: 4 Comments »