Re: Future AmigaOS GUI

[NewRevolution]

I like what SimoAmi has done. He has put a lot of effort into it, which is good. We need people like that!

This topic has caught my attention because this has a lot to do with usability and accessibility, as teotwin and Rodney has touched on.
Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and Usability Engineering are two important areas of knowledge / skill when it comes to designing interface and it's functionality. It's no good to have an interface that is revolutionary when the functionality of it sucks.
 
When designing an interface, we have to keep in mind:
1) What makes it usable?
2) What makes it accessible?
3) Is it logical? You might think so, but how about ppl with little or no computer skills?

I must admit, I have been away from Amiga for a while, and I'm not as up to date with what is happening on the Amiga front. But I'm trying to catch up :-)

Looking at SimoAmis' work, the first thing that strikes me, is the similarity to Linux/Unix. I guess that's because the new Amiga OS is based on a Linux kernel?

I think it's time to lift Amiga GUI up to another level. Think new - think different!
Take a look at the GUIs already out there. How have they done it? How can we make it different, but still similar?
Why use drawers when other systems use folders? It's more natural for a user to "think" that files are stored in folders, rather than drawers (although I found the drawers quite charming)

Microsoft conducted some serious usability testing shifting from Windows 3.11 to Win95 and I read a quite interesting article about thatt, which can be found HERE

How can Amiga once again attract new users?
Approaching a new OS is taunting for a lot of users. But if the users can identify Amiga GUI with e.g. Windows GUI or Mac GUI, they will feel more at ease using it.

I would love to conduct some usability tests on a new Amiga GUI - it would make an interesting project. So SimoAmi, if you want to improve your concept, send me a msg.

I'm about to finish my Master of IT here in Australia - but the job opportunities back home in Norway looks rather bad. So I think I'll have a lot of time on my hands :-D


Phu - that was it for now. I could write heaps more... But I'll save it for later!

[NewRevolution]

Thnx guys.

It was about time to arise from the *dead*  :-D

Alongside the usual programming and system development stuff, I've tuned in on the UE and HCI "main stream". Quite interesting. The real challenge is to convince organization, that there is money to be saved on performing usability studies. Changing requirements early in development, migh add a cost from 1 to 6 times. Changing system in the User Acceptance level (when the system is 99% finished) can cost around 100 times the cost of redesign.

And this brings me to the new OS 4 look.
I must admit chills went down my spine when I first looked at the review Amiga OS 4 GUI Preview. Then today I looked at the other links and found the Improvement (AmiDocs).
What is http://os.amiga.com/? Is this a official site for Amiga Inc? And what is AmiDocs?
The basic GUI for Amiga OS should be plain as cheese! Umm... u know what I mean ;-)
Then, if users want to ruin their GUIs with horrible skins, then let them do it.

But for the CORE of the GUI, it should be very simple, plain - but still have a touch of contemporary times. By that I mean 3D icons with shading, simple fonts, and forgett about all that "iron" brush backgrounds. Having a "noisy" background does not enhance the GUI at all. And use icons with good  metaphores. SimoAmi has e VERY good screenshot of a directory tree in this discussion.

In the same discussion, xisp comes with some very good points.

It's time to crawl out of the 'Amiga OS 3.x look' hole, and smells todays mainstream. What makes GUIs popular today? It's certanly not by enhancing old looks. It's RE-INVENTING new design based on old GUI.

And face the facts. I'm pretty sure no matter how much we work on a new design, it will still be similar to Windows, Mac and Linux/Unix GUI.

I have some ideas to new concepts that I learned in Usability Engineering class (yaiks.. - school :-D). I will talk to the convener and see if I can get a hold of the images.

Btw. The_Editor, are u from Western Australia?