I love that idea. However, It'd be seen by many as "too Apple-like". Not that that is a bad thing, but it's something to consider.
Cheers, James Gifford http://jamesrgifford.com On Sep 5, 2011, at 20:36, Jonathan Meek <shrouded.cl...@gmail.com> wrote: > As things currently stand, if you want an application in Ubuntu you go to the > software center and browse the myriad applications available. Of these, MANY > are what I would dub 'legacy' applications (my word, don't focus too much on > it). As far as I know, there is nothing that quite defines an Ubuntu > application. This creates the situation, where, if we get the presumed users, > they install Ubuntu and go looking for applications and they can end up > installing the KDE4 stack for it, not knowing that it's not the way things > are supposed to look, furthering the inconsistencies of the Ubuntu desktop > "look." (This is NOT a thread to complain about such, there are plenty others > out there.) > > I would propose that, to mitigate this issue, some sort of guideline be > established for the look and feel of *Ubuntu* applications. (Meaning Ubuntu, > not GNOME's HIG) Right now, there is no real set of rules that defines how an > app should look and behave on Ubuntu. We assume that it should be GTK (but > defaults have non-gtk apps); we assume it should have Native widgets (but > defaults use non-native/hacked widgets); we make all kinds of assumptions and > none of facts seem to fit to any real set of rules.* > > This is also not something that the community do, because if I could, I > would. We need to work with the design team to be able to develop the > guidelines. > > Now, say we have those hypothetical guidelines out. I would propose a new > feature in the USC, a sort of stamp for applications. It would work one of > two ways: if the app is added the old, package approver way, the approver > would be able to set the "100% Ubuntu integration"** badge and it would > appear beside the app name in the list view of Software Center. The other > way would be for a checkbox in the developer submit function of Ubuntu.com > that says 'this app follows the Ubuntu guidelines' And would get some sort of > provisional badge that would be subject to the USC's 'report this app' type > of function. (Perhaps simply a check box saying "Application does not meet > Ubuntu guidelines" that would show for only applications with such a badge.) > > In this fashion, you create a psuedo-category of applications in Ubuntu that > are sort of first-party approved. You get a reason for apps to take the time > to look nice because they will be acknowledged as fitting in with what is > arguably the most popular Linux distro. You will, at least in my opinion, > create a system wherein creating an Ubuntu app is beneficial. Users will know > that those applications are more aligned with how things should be and will > naturally move toward them first when seeking new applications (though, not > all will, because features and such may not be the same). But the average > user will hopefully look for the stamp and won't be put off by the quirks of > Qt apps or the XUL xenograft ;) when encountering new apps on their computer. > > Thank you for taking the time to read this. I would be more than happy to > answer any questions or clarify any statements if need. I hope to be able to > hear back from design on this proposal. Adieu for now! > > *This is also not to say that we should ditch, say, Firefox because it > doesn't fit in with proposed "defaults." There are exceptions to the rules. > **That is to say, it looks and behaves the way an Ubuntu app should in > Ubuntu. That isn't to say that it's a full-time Ubuntu app. For example, > Empathy would be eligible for this "stamp", even though it isn't developed > for Ubuntu. > _______________________________________________ > Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~ayatana > Post to : ayatana@lists.launchpad.net > Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~ayatana > More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp _______________________________________________ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~ayatana Post to : ayatana@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~ayatana More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
