Saturday, August 13, 2005
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
