LWN.net Logo

IBM To Linux Desktop Developers: 'Stop Copying Windows' (InformationWeek)

IBM To Linux Desktop Developers: 'Stop Copying Windows' (InformationWeek)

Posted Aug 8, 2008 16:38 UTC (Fri) by N0NB (guest, #3407)
In reply to: IBM To Linux Desktop Developers: 'Stop Copying Windows' (InformationWeek) by jdave23
Parent article: IBM To Linux Desktop Developers: 'Stop Copying Windows' (InformationWeek)

Absolutely.  Before someone from IBM begins to lecture us on usability, I want proof that he
has personally taken the Notes UI designers out back and had them shot.  I've had to use that
poor excuse for an email program for over 13 years at work.  I've rambled on about it in the
past, but it really seems to be a "for PHBs by PHBs" type of program.  More recent versions
are a case study in bloat for bloat's sake.

Like "quality" (anyone who has read Zen, and Art of Motorcycle Maintenance will understand),
"usability" is a nebulous concept.  What I find easy to use may be an enigma to someone else
and vice versa.

What annoys and bothers me is when people start bleating that the Free Desktop must sacrifice
its range of choice in the name of "usability".  A very poorly thought out strategy, IMO.  A
toolbox with only one tool in it isn't terribly useful for a variety of situations.


(Log in to post comments)

IBM To Linux Desktop Developers: 'Stop Copying Windows' (InformationWeek)

Posted Aug 9, 2008 5:07 UTC (Sat) by Sutoka (guest, #43890) [Link]

> What I find easy to use may be an enigma to someone else and vice versa.

Exactly! OS X is frequently touted as being awesomely usable, but I find it incredibly
frustrating for the very same reasons. There isn't a single magic interface that everyone will
find usable for what they're trying to do.

IBM To Linux Desktop Developers: 'Stop Copying Windows' (InformationWeek)

Posted Aug 10, 2008 14:03 UTC (Sun) by lysse (guest, #3190) [Link]

Yes, because of course everyone at IBM has responsibility for the Notes UI, and IBM has never
produced any other UIs, at all, ever, in the 50 or so years it's been writing software...

IBM To Linux Desktop Developers: 'Stop Copying Windows' (InformationWeek)

Posted Aug 11, 2008 5:54 UTC (Mon) by jzbiciak (✭ supporter ✭, #5246) [Link]

Nor have they ever acquired software from the outside and carried it forward. 

(Pssst... Lotus Notes once came from a company named Lotus.)

Copyright © 2012, Eklektix, Inc.
Comments and public postings are copyrighted by their creators.
Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds