GNOME Bugzilla – Bug 676575
[info] Details panel is unclear
Last modified: 2019-02-22 04:20:52 UTC
Starting from the name and the icon, the identity of this panel is very unclear. It also contains some information which is not editable. Proposed solution - Extrapolate the Overview section and make it more accessible (eg. from an indicator). If Overview becomes a standalone application, it could also allow distros to customize it more easily (eg. adding more brand in it) - Move the Graphics content to other panel (eg. Overview) - Rename the panel to Applications and Media and optimize the layout for this purpose (eg. using tabs)
I agree that, combined, the Details label and icon are ambiguous. I'd maybe suggest using a different icon there for starters (something that indicates 'information', perhaps). Maybe it's even worth evaluating whether default applications belongs here, and reverting to the previous System Information label. However, I don't understand the proposed solution. System Settings is one of the primary places to find information about the system. That makes it a logical location for at least the OS version and device name. My understanding is that putting this information in System Settings (or the equivalent) is a common pattern amongst OSs. Could you explain the rationale?
Hi Allan, the rational is that System Information are not editable, the user can't set them. If somewhere else they could be even more accessible. In this case I guess I would recommend something more like MacOS than typical Windows. Do you know how Windows 8 is?
(In reply to comment #2) > Hi Allan, the rational is that System Information are not editable, ... I think that's fine. Settings are often used for reference, and there are other cases where they might be read-only. The key thing is that System Settings are the main access point for system level 'stuff'. I was actually interested in the rationale for the new app you mentioned. > ... In this > case I guess I would recommend something more like MacOS than typical Windows. I don't use OS X - can you explain what you mean by that? > Do you know how Windows 8 is? My Windows 8 virtual machine seems to be broken right now. I don't remember seeing anything relevant in the Metro-style control panel though.
This is how Mountain Lion is: http://ubuntuone.com/6HFPf6lmSkMnB9qBzGW2RB Will try to find out more about Win8.
Not sure if Win8 changed since the screenshot appearing on this website: http://open-db.info/OpenDb/Article.aspx?ArticleId=85 The other option we have then, is to split this panel in 2: - Overview (or Computer/Device info, or About) - Applications and Media
Possibilities for the name: * Details * System Information * System (Windows 7) * About this ... (variations used by OS X, Android) * Device Information (WebOS) * General > About (iOS) I think we should avoid "system", since it's a bit technical sounding. Details doesn't seem terrible to me, but I still think that it sits awkwardly with the icon. "About This Computer" might be best, with a new icon (something denoting "information", perhaps). That said, I think that we need to hear from Jon on this one, since he did the original design.
I think I'd like to move forward on revising the settings shell for 3.10. Which means we'll probably address this.
It's called "Details" nowadays in 3.30 and there are separate "About" and "Default Applications" subsections. If there are specific issues left, please file a new ticket in gitlab.gnome.org - thanks!