Saturday, August 13, 2005
Where is the transparency, and no, Avalon this doesn't concern you
   Interesting discussion going on in the comments, although Brian Shapiro ends with: "i was also hoping for discussion in the posts i made but nobody has really touched them." Alas, I don't have an answer. I was also hoping for more of a discussion by people in positions to make things happen, but that doesn't seem to be happening. There are people obviously interested in the UI of Longhorn, and some who have done previous work on similar concepts, but this doesn't seem to be enough to draw attention. On a similar note, there is a guy in the Channel 9 forums posting 'posters' to get Microsoft employees more active.
 
   More transparency would help by leaps and bounds. Hiding UI concepts is a joke--I'll tell you how much of a joke it is: there is a creative director who does not work at Microsoft anymore, but when he did, he worked on Aero for 5 years. 5 years. I'll tell you, if they would have been open about designs, they would probably have a *revolutionary* UI when longhorn ships. Sure, maybe Apple would have snatched some bits and pieces. But, that is the beauty about transparency. Since Apple would go ahead on those pieces, it would allow Microsoft and others to design the next new paradigm on top of those said pieces. At least this is what I think. Maybe I am totally wrong. Let me know.
   And, in 5 years, do you know how many concept designs I could come up with, not to mention a team of designers...But, even bigger, a community of people...
 
   Many say that retraining is the biggest obstacle in keeping Microsoft from implementing a totally unique and futuristic UI. I think that is a load of crap. Who ever said you would have to scrap the Windows 2000 look? No one. You could have the futuristic one as an option you explicitly choose. Sure, Apple has a niche market, but I don't see why this wouldn't work.
   Multiple UXs are not only the future, they are the only way to go. The bridge between an advaced power user and my grandma is way too big for a one-size-fits-all. I will embrace this trend, have you? Seriously...
 
   I'm just an idiot throwing around ideas here, and I don't know anything--but, think about the people who do know things, lots of them. I'm sure they have lots of advice for making a great product. Ask some people over at frog design or IDEO--they know how to build great products.
   Let's get some real thought going. Start in the comments, or on your own blogs, or on the Channel9 forums, or Neowin...I don't care, let's just start it. The waiting has gone on long enough.
P.S.    Have you seen the news that IE is going to have tabs. Did I miss the keynote speech by BillG on this news? Anyway, it is kind of corny to hype this feature--since I have already explored ideas for better tab implementations in response to their nonsense. I relate this to Rory's new Notepad. I don't understand why IE gets the hype they do. Yes, in linking to them and talking about this, I am giving them hype, too. more...
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/13/2005 5:57:05 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/rdawson/archive/2005/05/17/14082.aspx
 
   More transparency would help by leaps and bounds. Hiding UI concepts is a joke--I'll tell you how much of a joke it is: there is a creative director who does not work at Microsoft anymore, but when he did, he worked on Aero for 5 years. 5 years. I'll tell you, if they would have been open about designs, they would probably have a *revolutionary* UI when longhorn ships. Sure, maybe Apple would have snatched some bits and pieces. But, that is the beauty about transparency. Since Apple would go ahead on those pieces, it would allow Microsoft and others to design the next new paradigm on top of those said pieces. At least this is what I think. Maybe I am totally wrong. Let me know.
   And, in 5 years, do you know how many concept designs I could come up with, not to mention a team of designers...But, even bigger, a community of people...
 
   Many say that retraining is the biggest obstacle in keeping Microsoft from implementing a totally unique and futuristic UI. I think that is a load of crap. Who ever said you would have to scrap the Windows 2000 look? No one. You could have the futuristic one as an option you explicitly choose. Sure, Apple has a niche market, but I don't see why this wouldn't work.
   Multiple UXs are not only the future, they are the only way to go. The bridge between an advaced power user and my grandma is way too big for a one-size-fits-all. I will embrace this trend, have you? Seriously...
 
   I'm just an idiot throwing around ideas here, and I don't know anything--but, think about the people who do know things, lots of them. I'm sure they have lots of advice for making a great product. Ask some people over at frog design or IDEO--they know how to build great products.
   Let's get some real thought going. Start in the comments, or on your own blogs, or on the Channel9 forums, or Neowin...I don't care, let's just start it. The waiting has gone on long enough.
P.S.    Have you seen the news that IE is going to have tabs. Did I miss the keynote speech by BillG on this news? Anyway, it is kind of corny to hype this feature--since I have already explored ideas for better tab implementations in response to their nonsense. I relate this to Rory's new Notepad. I don't understand why IE gets the hype they do. Yes, in linking to them and talking about this, I am giving them hype, too. more...
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/13/2005 5:57:05 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/rdawson/archive/2005/05/17/14082.aspx
Longhorn Start Menu
   How do I always start a post? Of course, with a question. So here goes...
   What is a start menu? It shouldn't be a menu, that's for sure. It's more like a start screen. What do you want to happen when you see a start screen? Probably, you want to see things you haven't seen in a while--since you last "started". That makes sense to me. Also, turn the key and go somewhere. A task based approach...People want to accomplish a goal. Then, another, and another...Do you drive fast or slow? Well, these should be taken into account. Some people still only use the keyboard and lots of command prompt windows. While, others read everything and take their time in selecting large icons to go somewhere. In the middle, there are people who do a little of both.
   So, people want to see things that have changed in the system and do tasks. The system can be their blogoshpere, social network, work, or anything else. It doesn't really matter. And, tasks are things people want to accomplish. Listen to music. Edit a document. Email an old friend. You get the point.
   Well, so I think these are what needs to happen.
   Here is my version of a start screen (click image for original size).
                
   Take note of the running programs at the very top.
   Compare this to the old start menu in Windows XP
                
   There is a lot of room for improvement. Since longhorn hasn't shipped, let's start there... more...
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/13/2005 5:33:04 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/rdawson/archive/2005/05/12/14064.aspx
   What is a start menu? It shouldn't be a menu, that's for sure. It's more like a start screen. What do you want to happen when you see a start screen? Probably, you want to see things you haven't seen in a while--since you last "started". That makes sense to me. Also, turn the key and go somewhere. A task based approach...People want to accomplish a goal. Then, another, and another...Do you drive fast or slow? Well, these should be taken into account. Some people still only use the keyboard and lots of command prompt windows. While, others read everything and take their time in selecting large icons to go somewhere. In the middle, there are people who do a little of both.
   So, people want to see things that have changed in the system and do tasks. The system can be their blogoshpere, social network, work, or anything else. It doesn't really matter. And, tasks are things people want to accomplish. Listen to music. Edit a document. Email an old friend. You get the point.
   Well, so I think these are what needs to happen.
   Here is my version of a start screen (click image for original size).
                
   Take note of the running programs at the very top.
   Compare this to the old start menu in Windows XP
                
   There is a lot of room for improvement. Since longhorn hasn't shipped, let's start there... more...
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/13/2005 5:33:04 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/rdawson/archive/2005/05/12/14064.aspx
Help with Conviat Agave
   You guys know everything. Seriously. So, lend me a hand.
   For those of you familiar with Conviat Agave, I have since styled all of the web services in honor of Tiger Dashboard. And, for those who don't know, Conviat Agave is essentially the next version of AOL or MSN Explorer. A browser with nice-ities for people who don't like to click much. No need to download my program, though, because I haven't and won't update my site until I figure out my problems.
   So here it is. Based on the descripting above, I have an integrated browser, favorites, web search, and web services (stocks, weather, news, etc). I think I have correctly identified the problem in that people find things too complex. For example, when someone wants the movie listings, they just want to click something that says 'Movies' and get them. Nothing else--and, be sure to make it look nice. Here is a screen shot of the stocks (click image for original size).
    
   So, there it is. But, honestly, I'm not happy. The concept isn't clicking. I know users are having a problem, but I don't think I am connecting. Please help? Am I correct? Is it done wrong? Is it not a problem? Bad implementation? more...
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/13/2005 5:09:04 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/rdawson/archive/2005/05/11/14054.aspx
   For those of you familiar with Conviat Agave, I have since styled all of the web services in honor of Tiger Dashboard. And, for those who don't know, Conviat Agave is essentially the next version of AOL or MSN Explorer. A browser with nice-ities for people who don't like to click much. No need to download my program, though, because I haven't and won't update my site until I figure out my problems.
   So here it is. Based on the descripting above, I have an integrated browser, favorites, web search, and web services (stocks, weather, news, etc). I think I have correctly identified the problem in that people find things too complex. For example, when someone wants the movie listings, they just want to click something that says 'Movies' and get them. Nothing else--and, be sure to make it look nice. Here is a screen shot of the stocks (click image for original size).
    
   So, there it is. But, honestly, I'm not happy. The concept isn't clicking. I know users are having a problem, but I don't think I am connecting. Please help? Am I correct? Is it done wrong? Is it not a problem? Bad implementation? more...
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/13/2005 5:09:04 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/rdawson/archive/2005/05/11/14054.aspx
More complex applications - Menu
   Preople argue that the menu is the only way you can display selection choices for a complex application. I totally disagree, so I worked up an example.
   Here is what I envision as one alternative to a complex menu (click image for original size):
         
   Remember, statistical grouping is going to be the norm, so if you don't do it now, you are going to lose business (no questions asked). People have usage habits, but they are not going to take the time to tell you, so you have to figure them out on your own. They have something in their mind that they want to do, and the longer it takes them to accomplish the task, the more porbable they are going to quit using your software (and the task).
   Also note that I have ridden my application from the ambiguous menu title names (File? -- Agave Options instead). In place, I have just a few big categories--meaningful ones, at that. Search is just as important, so don't leave that out. more...
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/13/2005 12:40:48 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/rdawson/archive/2005/05/10/14044.aspx
   Here is what I envision as one alternative to a complex menu (click image for original size):
         
   Remember, statistical grouping is going to be the norm, so if you don't do it now, you are going to lose business (no questions asked). People have usage habits, but they are not going to take the time to tell you, so you have to figure them out on your own. They have something in their mind that they want to do, and the longer it takes them to accomplish the task, the more porbable they are going to quit using your software (and the task).
   Also note that I have ridden my application from the ambiguous menu title names (File? -- Agave Options instead). In place, I have just a few big categories--meaningful ones, at that. Search is just as important, so don't leave that out. more...
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/13/2005 12:40:48 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/rdawson/archive/2005/05/10/14044.aspx
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Connected Atlast
I have atlast been able to get my DSL modem to work with Longhorn...:-)
It suprisingly uses the Dialup protocol and that stumped me for quite sometime as I was creating a new network connection as type Broadband and nothing worked.... more...
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/11/2005 8:59:21 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/anand/archive/2004/01/13/2113.aspx
It suprisingly uses the Dialup protocol and that stumped me for quite sometime as I was creating a new network connection as type Broadband and nothing worked.... more...
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/11/2005 8:59:21 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/anand/archive/2004/01/13/2113.aspx
Declarative UI
Sarah Allen talks about different declarative UI technologies in her recent post. This includes XAML, XUL and LZX. more...
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/11/2005 7:11:20 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/anand/archive/2003/11/20/1443.aspx
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/11/2005 7:11:20 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/anand/archive/2003/11/20/1443.aspx
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Indigo - Better Productivity
Steven VanRoekel, director of WS in MS says in this article in adtmag that Indigo will increase productivity by decreasing the number of lines of code a developer has to write to use WS.
The numbers interest me. For writing a secure and reliable example WS
With .NET Framework - 60K LOC
With WSE - 12K-13K LOC
With Indigo - 1 LOC more...
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/9/2005 9:19:17 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/anand/archive/2003/11/20/1442.aspx
The numbers interest me. For writing a secure and reliable example WS
With .NET Framework - 60K LOC
With WSE - 12K-13K LOC
With Indigo - 1 LOC more...
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/9/2005 9:19:17 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/anand/archive/2003/11/20/1442.aspx
Longhorn Interface
Here is an simulation of the Longhorn Glass interface that works with IE!!!
And here is Sjoerd Visscher's blog post on the subject. more...
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/9/2005 8:49:16 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/anand/archive/2003/11/13/1299.aspx
And here is Sjoerd Visscher's blog post on the subject. more...
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/9/2005 8:49:16 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/anand/archive/2003/11/13/1299.aspx
More on XAML
XAML -- Almost A Full Blown Language more...
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/9/2005 7:55:15 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/anand/archive/2003/11/11/1244.aspx
http://www.sebura.com
Originally Posted on 8/9/2005 7:55:15 PMContent source: http://longhornblogs.com/anand/archive/2003/11/11/1244.aspx
