Date: Mon, 4 Mar 2002 20:12:34 -0500 From: "Kevin McCormick" <kmccorm1@stevens-tech.edu> To: <freebsd-questions@freebsd.org> Subject: RE: I bought your system and am not so happy! Message-ID: <NJEILFFGFACAOBDNPELNKEFFCAAA.kmccorm1@stevens-tech.edu> In-Reply-To: <20020305104135.E1002@osiris.sigterm.com>
next in thread | previous in thread | raw e-mail | index | archive | help
I must submit that I totally agree with Jim on this, context is a major player in a positive adoption of a system. I am definitely a FreeBSD and UNIX newbie, but I have done quite a large amount of reading on UNIX prior to using FreeBSD. Additionally, I feel that I'm quite adept at using computers in general. That being said, after installing FreeBSD, I still felt lost inside the operating system. Using sysinstall isn't *that* bad for the most part (definitely not the most user-friendly either, though), but after logging in, there I was at a shell prompt. I knew that there was startx, man, and a few other commands, but I was mostly lost. Nothing was there in front of me for me to try. I read through the entire handbook (definitely by far the most common response on these lists: "RTFHB"), which I might add is not a light read, and is very long for a "handbook". Therefore, I suggest that a little bit of additional context doesn't detract from the openness and freedom of the operating system. I, like many people, don't have the ability to print out the handbook, buy the handbook, or memorize the handbook, along with a slew of commands and procedures. I like to explore for new things, but only when I'm looking to do something new. For example, if I'm looking for a way to set up a graphical login, I think I speak for many user when I say that it seems unnecessary to read through 8 man pages and two chapters in the handbook to set up a graphical login. I'm not saying that everything needs to be done for me, but a few reminders and pointers would be nice while I'm actually on the PC (a la MOTD or something like 'man nowthatyouveinstalledfreebsd'). After my installation was complete it would have been very helpful if it said something like: ---SAMPLE--- Welcome to FreeBSD! This is your new operating system, so welcome to UNIX, etc. etc. - To learn how to set up your sound card now, type 'man pcm' - To start XFree86, type 'startx' - To re-run setup, type /stand/sysinstall - To learn more about the FreeBSD ports collection, type 'man ports' - To learn how to customize your system more type .... - To set change how you log onto your computer, type 'man xdm' 'man getty' etc... - For more, type 'man nowthatyouveinstalledfreebsdwhattodonow' ---STOP SAMPLE--- More of these types of things really need to be added to help those who are getting adjusted to the system. If it's done right, it shouldn't bother the die-hard users while making FreeBSD more accessible to those who are good at using PC systems, but need to get adjusted. And, lastly, someone needs to start working on a graphical ports collection browser (I can't wait until I finish my CS classes so I can help!). That would be a very nice thing to show off to Windows users who brag about their Windows Installer and "Add/Remove" garbage. That's all for now, Kevin McCormick kmccorm1@stevens-tech.edu -----Original Message----- From: owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG [mailto:owner-freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG]On Behalf Of Stuart Tanner Sent: Monday, March 04, 2002 6:42 PM To: Jim Freeze Cc: questions@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: I bought your system and am not so happy! I agree with Adam's statements, but I also think that it is reasonable to expect someone to at least read the section on installation in the Handbook. There are not many products that are shipped without some sort of instructions. Anyone here a pilot? Even my toaster came with instructions. The "intuitive" UI doesn't exists. What people mean when they talk about it is "familiar". Windows is easy to install because the processes are familiar to people. Most people, these days, hit FreeBSD and attempt to use their previous experience (as humans are wont to do in a new situation) to understand how the sysinstall works. Unfortunately, no amount of Windowsing is ever going to prepare the new user/installer/admin for sysinstall. As such, asking that they consult some documentation to assist their FreeBSD journey is not an unreasonable request. If the FreeBSD community wants users to be able to draw on their past experience to help them with the install process then the installer must be designed to fit the user. As to WIMP or no WIMP, it really doesn't matter. A well designed UI should adhere to some simple rules. Context. The user must know at all times where they are inside the application. The magic number 7 +or- 2. Menus or choice should be made from around 7 items. If there are more then they should be subdivided into categories. For a linear process like installation, Progress. The application should indicate to the user how far along they are in what they are doing. Unambiguous language. English is terrible for it's ambiguity. Correctly structured language. Never detail action before consequence in a dialog. Consistency. If you are going to put "Accept" in the lower left corner and "Cancel" in the lower right corner, stick to that convention. The installer for an OS is often the users first point of contact with it. Those first couple of hours are going to colour the rest of the users experiences with the system, regardless of how easy it is to use after it is installed or how well designed it is. It is in the best interests of the FreeBSD community to ensure that those first hours are as painless and as simple as possible. On 2002.03.04 23:49 Jim Freeze wrote: > >From time-to-time we see these types of responses to the > questions list. In my opinion, they are happening for two [SNIP] > feeling guilty, maybe FreeBSD should listen and begin > incorporating suggestions from others where it is appropriate. > > $0.02 > > -- > Jim Freeze > "Give some people an attoparsec and > they'll take 16.093 Tera-angstroms" > > To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org > with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message > -- Stuart Tanner <stuart@sigterm.com> An elephant is a mouse with an operating system. To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message
Want to link to this message? Use this URL: <https://mail-archive.FreeBSD.org/cgi/mid.cgi?NJEILFFGFACAOBDNPELNKEFFCAAA.kmccorm1>