KubuntuSystemSettingsUsability

Revision 4 as of 2006-06-23 10:53:59

Clear message

Summary

Rearranging the system settings in Kubuntu to make it easier for users to find several configurations. Unneeded modules are removed, and some modules are redesigned to improve their usability.

Rationale

The high number and partial redundancy of configuration modules in Kubuntu's system settings makes it hard to find configuration options. This is especially problematic for first-time users who want to set up their basic system (network, hardware, appearance). If they do not succeed, they are likely to de-install Kubuntu before even probing to use it for everyday tasks.

Use cases

Basic idea:

  • A user installs Kubuntu. After the initial startup, the user goes to the system settings to set up the network and the appearance for his desktop. He then adds a new user for his girlfriend and probes
  • A user who has been using Kubuntu for a while wants to add a printer.

Scope

The Kubuntu system settings should become an easy tool to set up the system. KDE power users that want the full and complex functionality can fall back to kcontrol.

For edgy, we will concentrate on improving the current first-level structure of the system settings, that means modules like Desktop, Network or Printer. While unneeded modules are removed, the remaining ones are first of all grouped by categories that are set up by *everybody* who has the permissions to administrate his PC and modules that are special (required only by a limited amount of users). In both areas, the modules are then grouped in usage-related categories.

As far as possible, the modules themselves will be streamlined by removing unneeded submodules and ordering them along priority. Where obviously necessary, submodules will be moved to a new category.

The user interface of as many submodules as possible will be redesigned, starting with user management and display.

For edgy+(+), the submodules should be inspected more closely. Based on the results of different usability methods, their best-fitting location in modules and subcategories is determined, and their UI design is inspected.

Design

First-level separation

On the first level, modules will be separated in the ones which are needed by every user versus specific ones. Buttons to switch between the two views will be placed on the toolbar.

General settings:

  • Appearance
  • Desktop
  • Sound and Multimedia
  • User Account

  • Regional & Accessibility

  • Keyboard, mouse, Joystick
  • Printers
  • Display
  • Sharing
  • Bluetooth
  • Network
  • Date and Time
  • Font installer (?)
  • User Management
  • Storage Media

Specific settings:

  • Connections
  • Login Manager
  • Disk and Filesystems
  • System Services
  • Zeroconf (?)
  • KDE components (are configured in the corresponding apps) (?)
  • Storage Media
  • Font installer
  • Todo: More?

Dropped settings:

  • Panel (is configured contextually by right-clicking the panel)
    • Todo: launch feedback needs to be moved there; how to get a new panel if all were removed accidentially??
  • Power Control (will be configured in power management module)
  • Digicam (not needed here)

  • Security and Privacy (is configured in KWallet; KWallet is launched by default) ->> or possibly group with User account?

Categories

The modules in each first-level area need to be grouped in categories.

To have sane categories is crucial for the findability of the configuration options. The below suggested categories therefore need to be varified by appropriate usability methods (card sorting and use cases). Possible categories:

General:

Personal

  • Personal Information (==User Account)
  • Date and Time (todo: is sudo really required here?)

  • Region & Language (new: without shortcuts, keyboard layout, input actions)

  • Accessibility

Look and Feel

  • Appearance
  • Desktop
  • Notifications

My Computer

  • Display & Monitor

  • Keyboard, including shortcuts, keyboard layout and input actions; mouse; Joystick
  • Printers
  • User Management (where to put it?)

Network and Connectivity

  • Network
  • Sharing
  • Bluetooth

Specific:

System

  • Disk and Filesystems
  • System Services
  • Login Manager

KDE

  • KDE components (are configured in the corresponding apps) (?)
  • Storage Media
  • Font installer
  • Zeroconf (?)
  • Connections(?)

Modules

* Move kioslave audiocd stuff to kaudiocreator * Remove arts configuration * Fix keyboard navigation * Keyboard, mouse, joystick -> peripherals * Tabs/buttons for personal/sysadmin * No .directory file for Personal so no translations * Don't open first module by default when clicking "Appearance" and others with 2nd level, show description of the modules * Remove gtk styles and fonts * Remove panel, move launch feedback to kicker configuration * Get rid of security and privacy, already in kwallet. Possibly move an option to use it in Personal Information (User account) * Longer term: move to kconfigXT, makes it self documenting * If these is a second level load all modules on demand not all at once * Ship digikam and remove digital cameras * File sharing is completely broken! * Desktop sharing can go, should be configurable in krdc

Implementation

Code

Data preservation and migration

Outstanding issues

BoF agenda and discussion

CategorySpec