Re: [trinity-users] Kmenu Reasoning Explained part 100,482

On 01/24/2011 08:01 AM, Katheryne Draven wrote: Thanks Kate. I wasn't suggesting 'mytools' as a name. I hate it actually. If you look at either screenshot you will see a 'dcrtools' which is what I used as my favorites, but for some reason, editing my gnome menu caused all my menu entries in 'dcrtools' (as well as the other main menu subfolders to disappear). So until I had a chance to figure out where the bug was, I just created a quick mytools as a work-around) I agree, the top menu should be decided and then go from there. (the foundation is the most important part of any building...) Here are a few thoughts for consideration: Kmenu Top Level DIRECTORIES (about 12): Desktop Publishing (Contains everything related to published documents of all kinds) I have always viewed DTP is a subset of 'office'. Why? Not from a MS office approach, but from an 'office' approach of where you go to create 'work product' or document creation for lack of better words. DTP, to me, is just a specialized branch of object based page layout oriented word processing. When I think about top level entries for this type thing, I think: Office ------------ quick list of 3-5 most used apps ------------ accounting gnucash, etc desktop publishing scribus, etc.. crossover office word, excel, etc. koffice kword, etc.. openoffice base calc calc impress math writer The top level could just as easily be called 'Document' or the like. Something that implies "here is where you go to get real work done." I see it as encompassing the apps that take care of business (professional or personal) needs. Alternately, DTP goes fine as a subfolder of Graphics. Development I have always liked this one. Edutainment & Health I like it. SuSE's breakdown of the Edutainment (old Education) top level is as follows: Astronomy Chemical (I prefer Chemistry) Construction (I don't like this one. All drawing apps like qcad, inkscape, etc.. should either go under Graphics/vector or Graphics/illustration or Graphics/CAD) Language Mathematics Teaching ** Genealogy apps need a home somewhere as well Emulators I think this goes as System/Emulators. Just my .02, but I don't see the need for a toplevel for Vbox, wine, etc. Games It's a keeper. Graphics (symlinked) I think graphics stands alone. It hold the collection of 3rd party tools and all the great KDE3 graphic utilities. I think that it can hold the major graphics apps directly and can be further subdivided with logical subfolders that relate to the type of tools they contain like: ------------ quick list of 3-5 most used apps ------------ Bitmap Graphics Gfx Utilites (or KDE Graphics or KDE Utilities) kcolorchooser kruler, etc.. Icon Tools Vector Drawing Lost & Found Multimedia (both audio and video) I don't do enough of this to really comment, but I like divisions that give you: ------------ quick list of 3-5 most used apps (i.e. k3b, audacity, etc..) ------------ Audio Burning Composition Ripping Video Burning Composition Ripping Network (I think Network is a subfolder of Settings, and the Toplevel should be 'Internet' or 'Inet') Settings I have never liked a toplevel called settings because it is confusing to users. Think about it. You (from a tech savy standpoint) know that you have 'Desktop Settings' and 'System (or hardware) Settings', but the average user can really make that distinction. I have always thought 'Settings' belonged in 'System' (i.e. System/Settings), but then the question becomes what goes in their as opposed to say under 'System/Network'. But for purposes of hammering out at toplevel, I suggest that 'Settings' be moved as a sub of System. There has always been great debate about what goes under 'System' to begin with. I see having a toplevel of both Settings and System as further muddying the water. System This is where I think we break down the parts of the computer. Display, Network, Sound, etc.. I think it is also a fine place to have 'KDE Desktop Settings' or just 'KDE Desktop'. There has always been inherent confusion between the words 'Desktop' and 'Display' from the user perspective. I think we get around that by qualifying the two well enough that it is immediately apparent which is which. Something like: KDE Desktop Settings Video Card Settings (or Graphics Hardware Settings) User-Apps (This is a special directory that initially remains empty. Users can place their fav apps and link other menu subdir into this one. Some distros I proposed this to are now calling it a “favourite” directory.) I think either one is fine. KDE3 has always provided the most efficient (quickest) access to launch your apps hands down. This 'quick' or 'crispness' in access is an asset of the desktop that I think needs to be kept in mind and furthered in trinity development. Whether you call it User-Apps, Favourites or Quick-List, I think it is a good idea to provide a toplevel for it. I also think it is a good idea to go ahead an populate it with the most frequently used apps and provide a little pop-up or ballon help that explains it has a default set of apps that the user is free to add to, remove or change. One other trick or area where KDE3 provides excellent access to apps is by re-assigning the left-mouse-on-desktop to provide a quick menu to your applications. You can do it with either the left, right of middle buttons. I just chose left because I used to the rt-button context menu. Here is a shot for what it is worth: [54k] http://www.3111skyline.com/dl/dt/trinity/ss/left-click-on-dt.jpg Lastly, the 'quicklaunch' app is also a fantastic addition to the kicker panel. (see my earlier screenshots) If a default set of apps is put in 'User-Apps' or 'Favourites', then I would also propose providing 'quicklaunch' populated with the same set to expose the user to the functionality and let them choose which they like best. KDE3 has always had the most efficient desktop interface by far. There has been a great deal of thought put into accomplishing computing tasks with the absolute minimum number of keystrokes or mouse clicks required. Thinking though a logical layout of kmenu is just another opportunity to really set trinity apart from anything else out there. Great work Kate. -- David C. Rankin, J.D.,P.E. Rankin Law Firm, PLLC 510 Ochiltree Street Nacogdoches, Texas 75961 Telephone: (936) 715-9333 Facsimile: (936) 715-9339 www.rankinlawfirm.com