My contribution (only the Knode issue)

[Les]

On Fri, 2010-03-05 at 22:13 -0700, Craig White wrote:
> On Sat, 2010-03-06 at 12:31 +0800, Ed Greshko wrote:
> > Marcel Rieux wrote:
> > >
> > > Here's what Knode looked like when I opened it today:
> > >
> > > http://cjoint.com/?dgcNjJBH6c
> > >
> > > What's this:
> > >
> > > Loca...
> > >   O...
> > >   Sent
> > >   Dr...
> > >
> > > Moving the vertical bar doesn't lengthen the names and I saw no option
> > > in the menus for this. Anyway, it doesn't make sense. Why do "Loca"
> > > and "Sent" have 4 letters whereas "O" has only one and "Dr" -- for
> > > drafts, I suppose -- just 2? Even if there was an option in a menu,
> > > I'm sure it couldn't create such a mess.
> > >
> > >   
> > Could it be that you're not moving the correct "vertical bar"?
> > 
> > I don't use knode, but I brought it up as a curiosity.   Looks somewhat
> > like you describe above.  However, there is a very light line between
> > "Name" and "Unread".  I positioned my mouse over that and clicked and
> > held and adjusted the column width just fine.
> > 
> > Are you saying that didn't work for you?  Or, are you trying to adjust
> > using the wrong "bar"?
> ----
> as is typical of all the 'kde' things (kmail, akregator, etc.), the left
> panel does indeed use a vertical column divider that's hard to locate
> but if you pass the mouse slowly, you will see <||> which indicates that
> click & hold will adjust the column width. Also, the O... and Sent and
> Dr... simply indicate what will actually fit in the column where the
> ellipses is used to indicate more. If you just widen the window, the
> column will self adjust anyway.
> 
> This isn't rocket science and it's clear that the KDE programs actually
> anticipate that the user can figure this out by his/her self. Perhaps
> the KDE suite doesn't design their UI to the lowest common denominator
> that is seemingly incapable of deducing how to use their standard
> panels.

Hi, Craig,
	While those of us who use lots of applications may be familiar with the
general concepts and will prowl a bit to get the right combination,
those who use computers only for a task just what to know how to do the
things they need to do.  

This is no way unfair.  

Do you know that the car has a differential or what that does?  The car
would not work without it, but it is not part of the knowledge you need
to drive the car.  But you do need to realize that the wheels rotate one
way on one side and the opposite on the other and that they run at
slightly different speeds, if you are going to race.  That small bit of
knowledge along with other similar bits would make you the exception on
the course and give you an advantage.  It is the same with computers.

To say someone is incapable is a self aggrandizing statement, and
implies that you are better than the gentle person in question.  Maybe
you are, but probably only in some areas.  ditto for me.  I excel in
some areas and not so good in others. But that is human.  

	The point is, though, that for the computer to be useful, it must meet
the needs of the users, not the developers.  It is a vital distinction.
A good engineer listens to this kind of feedback and tries to come up
with a solution.  

	A foolish manager will denigrate this kind of input, and loose
credibility with both staff and customers, as well as doom his product,
whatever it might be, to obscurity.  I've worked for or with some of
those from time to time, and it is an exercise in design and engineering
futility.  So be open to the input, try to think how to help improve the
situation, and make our beloved linux more powerful and more useful.

	And to be honest, good documentation is a major weakness in Linux on
all fronts, from the OS itself, to the utilities.  There are not enough
books and not enough well written on-line tutorials to really help the
novice, and those that do exist don't seem to ever be updated (except
for the Wiki's).

This is all just my honest opinion based upon my personal experience.

Regards,
Les H