Microsoft got it from day one, focus on user experience, glitz and glamor and they will come. And we did (and still do). Windows Vista is impressive from a user experience perspective and proves that we will go to an environment that has a highly enhanced user interface and really super cool features (even if they operationally do very little). I have a really powerful desktop computer running Vista with all effects enabled (Aero, ect). However, I have yet to use Aero once as part of my every day functions (but love showing it to people).
But, now Linux is edging closer to Windows in the area of user experience and in many cases, a properly setup system can blow away any desktop OS user experience by linking highly solid functionality (that meets user goals) with AMAZING user experience.
Don't believe me? Watch this video....it will make you a believer.
If you watched the video, you will see how one user added the visual effects add-in to Linux title Beryl. Now, although the effects blow away anything out there, please know that getting Beryl to work with Linux and be functionally perfect is no where near as easy as activating Vista's built in Aero and visual coolness. That is one area Linux falls short (for now) is the part of user experience that focuses on ease of use for the person installing Linux and the ease of adding these cool functions. I still don't have Beryl working properly on my system (probably something with my ATI card) but am still working on it, because the end game is a system that does everything I need, for free, that looks stellar.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
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6 comments:
In Mandriva Linux 2007 Spring I have here all that is needed to enable these awesome Compiz 3D effects was to go into the control center, turn on 3D desktop effects and restart the computer. Doesn't appear to be much different to Vista. Except that it looks way more cool/advanced and more configurable and it is a lot faster than Aero enabled Vista.
Ah, but wait for Gutsy this October 18.
This a few new things, but those effects you wanted, should work right out of the box if your nvidia, intel, or ATI video card.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR7omjjVIOw
Your premise-- that Windows was always good with the eye candy is faulty. Do you remember the looks of the first Windows, or even of Windows 95? They looked garish and clunky. Macs had it over windows in the looks department for years. I'm not the only one who thinks so. Check "In the Beginning Was the Command Line" by Neal Stephenson for a more detailed critique.
Are you serious? Microsoft got it from day one? Windows Vista is impressive from a user experience perspective? I think it is horrible! How could it take them 5 years to output something so totally user unfriendly is beyond my understanding. The screen is absolutely contaminated with an overload of information that you don't need to complete a task. An unexperienced user wastes time on meaningless clicking and looking around the screen for the information he is actually looking for. Have you tried connecting to a wireless network with Vista? It makes me scared. Windows Vista is the proof that Microsoft just don't get it at all.
I have to admit, I couldn't imagine computer life now without the desktop cube. I know there's been virtual desktops around for years but just being able to drag the cube around is a much more intuitive and productive concept.
I'd like to see better compiz support for multiple screens however. If i could have a single, independent cube on each head I'd be a very happy man.
Thanks for all the great comments!
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