Date: Wed, 10 Apr 2002 11:40:28 -0600 From: hjdh <jdh77@hal-pc.org> To: stuart@sigterm.com Cc: questions@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: I bought your system and am not so happy! Message-ID: <3CB4790C.A80C6686@hal-pc.org> References: <20020304181911.C483_osiris.sigterm.com@ns.sol.net> <005201c1c34f$f6b0f730$6f830acf_gdennyj@ns.sol.net> <200203041132.g24BW5g50751@sheol.localdomain> <20020304074902.A35545@freeze.org> <20020305104135.E1002@osiris.sigterm.com>
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Stuart Tanner wrote: > > 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. > > > > $0.02 > > > > -- > > Jim Freeze > > "Give some people an attoparsec and > > they'll take 16.093 Tera-angstroms" > > > > To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org > > with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message > > > -- > Stuart Tanner <stuart@sigterm.com> > > An elephant is a mouse with an operating system. > > To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org > with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message ------- Hello All, EXCELLENT response. Comes under the heading "I wish I had said that!" I'm a newbie, well almost anyway. Long story, short-short-short version. (true) switched to (dual boot) from M$-WinDOS (most all flavors) to linux; Caldera briefly, then RedHat 5.1, 5.2, THEN FreeBSD 3.4. Here's where it gets interesting. Having some minor concerns (which turned major) about hard drives/file-systems, etc. I asked a/some question(s) that must have sounded stupid to the "gurus" for I only received, what I perceived to be, snide remarks and commentary... but no substantial help nor explanation(s.) While in WalMart, I chance to see a special on RedHat 6.1 and bought it. I subsequently bought RH 7.1, which is where I am now. I may someday venture back to BSD (not sure which flavor) but for now I'll stick with what I know I can get intelligent response with, from the support community. Thank you Stuart! 'til later, john <"The new kid on the block. The "UFL": UNIX, FreeBSD, Linux. Where one can find true FREEDOM and choice and the term "reboot" is seldom found." -jdh77@hal-pc.org> To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-questions" in the body of the message
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