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
