[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Ubuntu Linux 12.04 One-Ups Windows and Mac, Shuttleworth Says here

[DavidDuez]

I am really enjoying 12.04. Installed it over the weekend and it has worked flawlessly. I'm super impressed. On my HP laptop, I had to do some real tricks to get 11.10 installed. Not the case with 12.04. It was a perfect installation. The updates made it even better. It just seems more solid and I feel much more in control of Unity with this release.

[HankRearden]

I'll check it out.

[Boletusedulis]

Why are software makers so determined to kill text menus? As the linked article states, "... they serve as a map of the app’s functionality, almost like a table of contents that one can scan to get a feel for ‘what the app does’.”

In other words, it is a learning tool that allows far greater mastery of a program/OS's total functionality than ribbons, help files, etc. When I start out with a new program, I can learn most of what it does in a few minutes by scanning its menus.

Must we all be demoted to the intellectual level of chimps just because newbies are intimidated by a little text?

[Raulm095]

i hope canonial had fixed my first and most regret of every ubuntu fresh install that i do every 6 months.
updates!!!!
how a just released OS, that dont even had 1 week old, need to download hundreads of MB to update software, not fancy out of the box software, just the one that came in the ISO.

[AdrianWechner]

Boletusedulis, on 06 March 2012 - 10:37 AM, said:

When I start out with a new program, I can learn most of what it does in a few minutes by scanning its menus.

you still can scan the menu. so, dont worry. it's thought for complex applications like GIMP. there you have a lot of menus, with sub-menus and sub-sub-menus. HUD can be used when you ALREADY KNOW what you are looking fore. let's say 'Blur'. open hud and type blur possibly the first entry will be what you are looking for.

the point is, if you want to open something that you know, so use HUD (much faster). if you are "scanning around" use the traditional menu.

[jcthomasc]

Still a shill for Shuttleworth and Canonical, huh?

[everettwilliams]

Boletusedulis, on 06 March 2012 - 10:37 AM, said:

Why are software makers so determined to kill text menus? As the linked article states, "... they serve as a map of the app’s functionality, almost like a table of contents that one can scan to get a feel for ‘what the app does’.”

In other words, it is a learning tool that allows far greater mastery of a program/OS's total functionality than ribbons, help files, etc. When I start out with a new program, I can learn most of what it does in a few minutes by scanning its menus.

Must we all be demoted to the intellectual level of chimps just because newbies are intimidated by a little text?

This article said HUD was optional. The theatrics aren't necessary.

[Jonsul]

Raulm095, on 06 March 2012 - 12:33 PM, said:

i hope canonial had fixed my first and most regret of every ubuntu fresh install that i do every 6 months.
updates!!!!
how a just released OS, that dont even had 1 week old, need to download hundreads of MB to update software, not fancy out of the box software, just the one that came in the ISO.

What? Those updates are important, much better to have a patch fixing a serious security vulnerability the next day than waiting for months for it with Windows.

[Boletusedulis]

everettwilliams, on 06 March 2012 - 02:54 PM, said:

Boletusedulis, on 06 March 2012 - 10:37 AM, said:

Why are software makers so determined to kill text menus? As the linked article states, "... they serve as a map of the app’s functionality, almost like a table of contents that one can scan to get a feel for ‘what the app does’.”

In other words, it is a learning tool that allows far greater mastery of a program/OS's total functionality than ribbons, help files, etc. When I start out with a new program, I can learn most of what it does in a few minutes by scanning its menus.

Must we all be demoted to the intellectual level of chimps just because newbies are intimidated by a little text?

This article said HUD was optional. The theatrics aren't necessary.

Thanks, I will go take my meds now. Anyway, I was referring to the trend, not this specific implementation. Have you tried using the new Autocad? Now that is a mess. And MS is touting the wonders of the new Metro interface, while MS Office has become a disaster. Yah, I know, what has this got to do with Ubuntu? Well my point is that menus are useful tools, not demons that need to be abolished (oops, there I go again. Need those meds).

[dan404]

Jonsul, on 06 March 2012 - 06:08 PM, said:

Raulm095, on 06 March 2012 - 12:33 PM, said:

i hope canonial had fixed my first and most regret of every ubuntu fresh install that i do every 6 months.
updates!!!!
how a just released OS, that dont even had 1 week old, need to download hundreads of MB to update software, not fancy out of the box software, just the one that came in the ISO.

What? Those updates are important, much better to have a patch fixing a serious security vulnerability the next day than waiting for months for it with Windows.

Canonical lost me with 11 Oneiric Ocelot, what a piece of crap.
Ubuntu may be okay for the casual user, but if you're doing anything
beyond using Firefox to SURF the web you're an idiot.
NOT sponsered by i-$ or M$!
Dan

[linuxrants7xpg]

Raulm095, on 06 March 2012 - 12:33 PM, said:

i hope canonial had fixed my first and most regret of every ubuntu fresh install that i do every 6 months.
updates!!!!
how a just released OS, that dont even had 1 week old, need to download hundreads of MB to update software, not fancy out of the box software, just the one that came in the ISO.

I'd love to be able to install an OS and not have to run updates right after, but it will never happen. In fact, if I'm wrong and it does happen, worry. Regardless of the operating system you're using, the day that it ships is an artificial construct. The people producing the operating system have to say "Stop, this is it." That doesn't mean that development on the operating system stops, and that fixes to bugs stop. It just means that they have to draw the line somewhere. If a day comes when they've fully stopped working on the operating system the day it ships, then it's time to find a new operating system.

[LukeLarsenwuci]

dan404, on 06 March 2012 - 10:25 PM, said:

Jonsul, on 06 March 2012 - 06:08 PM, said:

Raulm095, on 06 March 2012 - 12:33 PM, said:

i hope canonial had fixed my first and most regret of every ubuntu fresh install that i do every 6 months.
updates!!!!
how a just released OS, that dont even had 1 week old, need to download hundreads of MB to update software, not fancy out of the box software, just the one that came in the ISO.

What? Those updates are important, much better to have a patch fixing a serious security vulnerability the next day than waiting for months for it with Windows.

Canonical lost me with 11 Oneiric Ocelot, what a piece of crap.
Ubuntu may be okay for the casual user, but if you're doing anything
beyond using Firefox to SURF the web you're an idiot.
NOT sponsered by i-$ or M$!
Dan

I wasnt a huge fan of 11 either, i still use the LTS 10.04. But you obviously dont know what your talking about anyways. Im a power user and Windows 7 sucks compared to Ubuntu 10.04 (im hoping i can say the same about 12.04 - Either way Linux is much more stable). Just because you dont understand linux to its fullest ability doesnt mean that other people are idiots... its more like your the idiot of insulting everyone else. But what you can do with Linux (if you actually know what your doing) is endless.

[Ubuntukungfoo]

Boletusedulis, on 06 March 2012 - 10:37 AM, said:

Thanks, I will go take my meds now. Anyway, I was referring to the trend, not this specific implementation. Have you tried using the new Autocad? Now that is a mess. And MS is touting the wonders of the new Metro interface, while MS Office has become a disaster. Yah, I know, what has this got to do with Ubuntu? Well my point is that menus are useful tools, not demons that need to be abolished (oops, there I go again. Need those meds).

I actually use Autocad on a daily basis. I decided a long time ago not to get married to their menu system. They change it too frequently to be of any use. Unlike other applications it is completely customizable, so if something isn't to your liking, I suppose you could make it work, I don't bother. Back in the day I used to customize my Windows menus. What a waste of time that was. I use Autocad much in the same way I use HUD ironically. If I want to draw a LINE I type in the word LINE. TRIM, OFFSET, CIRCLE, ARC, COPY, MOVE, ERASE all just common sense commands. You wouldn't really even need to know anything else about Autocad if you understood this one idea. I'm much faster at typing than using a ribbon, especially when you start using abbreviations like CP instead of COPY or M instead of MOVE or L instead of LINE. The ability to set abbreviations in HUD is what I think will push it over the top in functionality. Instead of menus I'd take a list of possible commands and how they work any day. That would be much faster for both experienced and new users. Canonical is moving in the right direction but no one here has really touched on the underlining reasons. It's been stated and I think it's quite obvious. The interface for computers in the future is voice recognition. Ubuntu is laying the framework for that future to occur on Linux as I'm sure it's already well into development on other platforms including iOS and Android.

[area51pilot]

I'd think if youre using Ubuntu for ONLY surfing the internet, then that would be idiotic. I've managed to maintain a Windows 2003/2011 domain with 100+ users including web development, support, management responsibilities.... all while using Ubuntu 10.04+ ( currently 12.04 LTS Beta).

As in a lot of support cases ... perhaps its a USER issue?

dan404, on 06 March 2012 - 10:25 PM, said:

Jonsul, on 06 March 2012 - 06:08 PM, said:

Raulm095, on 06 March 2012 - 12:33 PM, said:

i hope canonial had fixed my first and most regret of every ubuntu fresh install that i do every 6 months.
updates!!!!
how a just released OS, that dont even had 1 week old, need to download hundreads of MB to update software, not fancy out of the box software, just the one that came in the ISO.

What? Those updates are important, much better to have a patch fixing a serious security vulnerability the next day than waiting for months for it with Windows.

Canonical lost me with 11 Oneiric Ocelot, what a piece of crap.
Ubuntu may be okay for the casual user, but if you're doing anything
beyond using Firefox to SURF the web you're an idiot.
NOT sponsered by i-$ or M$!
Dan

[sroter]

Well Dan, I guess by your standards that I am an idiot. I use Ubuntu as the only operating system on my laptop for the last 1.5 years. I have not felt in the least bit limited and I sure do a whole lot more then just surf the web. The interface and stability are great, updates frequent and appreciated, application variety outstanding - it just works and works well and lets me get ALL my work done. Guess I am just a satisfied happy idiot who is looking forward to trying 12.04

dan404, on 06 March 2012 - 10:25 PM, said:

Jonsul, on 06 March 2012 - 06:08 PM, said:

Raulm095, on 06 March 2012 - 12:33 PM, said:

i hope canonial had fixed my first and most regret of every ubuntu fresh install that i do every 6 months.
updates!!!!
how a just released OS, that dont even had 1 week old, need to download hundreads of MB to update software, not fancy out of the box software, just the one that came in the ISO.

What? Those updates are important, much better to have a patch fixing a serious security vulnerability the next day than waiting for months for it with Windows.

Canonical lost me with 11 Oneiric Ocelot, what a piece of crap.
Ubuntu may be okay for the casual user, but if you're doing anything
beyond using Firefox to SURF the web you're an idiot.
NOT sponsered by i-$ or M$!
Dan

[NagyAndrAs]

HUD? No one should consider a user interface comfortable and fast where I need to move my hand FROM the mouse to the keyboard and type. That is so simple. Dropdown menu is good, HUD is a disaster.

[ChuckMiddaugh]

Boletusedulis, on 06 March 2012 - 10:37 AM, said:

Why are software makers so determined to kill text menus? As the linked article states, "... they serve as a map of the app’s functionality, almost like a table of contents that one can scan to get a feel for ‘what the app does’.”

In other words, it is a learning tool that allows far greater mastery of a program/OS's total functionality than ribbons, help files, etc. When I start out with a new program, I can learn most of what it does in a few minutes by scanning its menus.

Must we all be demoted to the intellectual level of chimps just because newbies are intimidated by a little text?

It's about the future. Why drill down endless poorly organized menus? Each program is the sum of it's functions (that is until programs write themselves)

The time will come when you select a function and care not what application performs said function. That's productive. IMHO

[waldojim]

ChuckMiddaugh, on 12 April 2012 - 12:25 PM, said:

It's about the future. Why drill down endless poorly organized menus? Each program is the sum of it's functions (that is until programs write themselves)

The time will come when you select a function and care not what application performs said function. That's productive. IMHO

OK, so how about organzing your mess? Why this piss poor attempt and making everything overly simplistic? All that does is dumb down the software, and the user.

[MKYadava]

dan404, on 06 March 2012 - 10:25 PM, said:

Jonsul, on 06 March 2012 - 06:08 PM, said:

Raulm095, on 06 March 2012 - 12:33 PM, said:

i hope canonial had fixed my first and most regret of every ubuntu fresh install that i do every 6 months.
updates!!!!
how a just released OS, that dont even had 1 week old, need to download hundreads of MB to update software, not fancy out of the box software, just the one that came in the ISO.

What? Those updates are important, much better to have a patch fixing a serious security vulnerability the next day than waiting for months for it with Windows.

Canonical lost me with 11 Oneiric Ocelot, what a piece of crap.
Ubuntu may be okay for the casual user, but if you're doing anything
beyond using Firefox to SURF the web you're an idiot.
NOT sponsered by i-$ or M$!
Dan

I thought it was the other way round. If you are doing anything beyond "pressing the START button" of the Microsoft Windows, then you are surely an idiot. MS Windows is not even worth that; and I am pretty serious. If you really want to kow what is computing, please use GNU/Linux.