[xfce4 linux mint] i think this is the ultimate modification of xfce so that it can be used by elderly people and children and pretty much anyone without any knowledge of computers and want to use one
from adrianhooves@lemmy.today to linux@lemmy.ml on 25 Mar 03:25
https://lemmy.today/post/26204526

i made the icons bigger now so that no one loses sight of them and they are just one click away!! any icon, and it’s divided between two panels, reminiscent of gnome2, classic gnome2.

and it is in light mode, if i made a distro and added xfce, i would make so many changes!! like light mode only (for elderly and visually impaired and people who like reading a lot, that is me yea) and big icons so that everyone knows what’s going on.

#linux

threaded - newest

ReversalHatchery@beehaw.org on 25 Mar 03:46 next collapse

I think the multiple panels would be confusing for elderly people. why not use the desktop for storing app icons?

adrianhooves@lemmy.today on 25 Mar 03:48 next collapse

because the desktop is confusing, linux distro chromeos got rid of that idea, of using icons on desktops, and that makes sense!!

fatur0000new@lemmy.ml on 25 Mar 04:41 collapse

I think the multiple panels would be confusing for elderly people

How can multiple panels confuse elderly people?

ReversalHatchery@beehaw.org on 25 Mar 12:18 collapse

some strip at the top, another at the bottom… what are these? they have unfamiliar pictures and no text labels at all.

I regularly help people who have difficulties in understanding and using the government’s 2FA login, even after they used it multiple times already. they are not disabled, some of them elder, others are middle aged, they are regular people with a job and a car, but they still have difficulties with using a popular cloud based password manager, and remembering which login method to choose because there is 3 and only 1 works for everyone.
this 2 panel setup is nothing to me, but it is more complicated than 2FA to them.

adrianhooves@lemmy.today on 25 Mar 13:07 collapse

oh dang!! you’re right, thank you, it does look hard to use and very hackerish

marauding_gibberish142@lemmy.dbzer0.com on 25 Mar 04:15 next collapse

I hope I’ll still be using the terminal when I’m 70 or something.

Not a jab at you OP, great work on your part. I’m just making a general comment towards my own predicted cognitive functioning

Ulrich@feddit.org on 25 Mar 07:42 next collapse

Is that Parappa the rapper?

adrianhooves@lemmy.today on 25 Mar 13:05 collapse

yes!!!

Ulrich@feddit.org on 25 Mar 16:27 collapse

My man throwin’ it back LOL

JackGreenEarth@lemm.ee on 25 Mar 07:42 next collapse

Honestly default GNOME is probably less confusing than this for old people, and even less confusing once you customise it a little.

Seriously, this is good effort! But anything based on XFCE or Plasma is going to look technical and confusing.

richardisaguy@lemmy.world on 25 Mar 09:17 collapse

Latest plasma is not confusing at all tho, it works really well, in fact I have it setup in my SO’s mother and father laptop and they never once managed to break it, and never asked me how to do anything, just figured it out on their own, and they are not great with computers, I will they you that

richardisaguy@lemmy.world on 25 Mar 09:09 next collapse

I can point out some immediate problems:

1 - I can’t see the cursor, hope this is because of the screenshot tool you’re using, but if it’s too small elderly people may lose it.

2 - the icons and text on the top panel are light grey… The panel is white, this provides terrible contrast and is yet another thing elderly people won’t see well

3 - there are two ways to switch apps, the top panel, and the dock, this is needlessly confusing

4 - most people (inclusiding elderly) are most accostumed to windows, which you have changed in XFCE In favour of looks; if you wish to create something people can use with ease, you better go for the windows look to avoid friction.

5 - this doesn’t look like a very functional dock, which didn’t you use plank, or crystal dock? That would provide better functionality.

6 - why did you think gnome 2 was a good base for your project? Gnome 2 might be cool and all, but as all old Linux interfaces it is needlessly complex and quite outdated usability-wise, unless the elderly people you’re talking about are nostalgic Linux veterans they won’t find this amusing, intuitive, or otherwise familiar to use, much for the contrary

Also why are you reposting this?

adrianhooves@lemmy.today on 25 Mar 13:05 collapse

ok i will answer all your concerns:

  1. yes, the screenshot tool!! there’s an option that hides it
  2. white mode is for everyone and it works well but you’re right about the grey thing!! thanks!!
  3. i know but xfce can’t do the thing that cinnamon or gnome does!! so you have ti be careful
  4. that is very true, thanks, i also like the dos/windows panel look!!
  5. not functional?? ok!!
  6. gnome 2 is nostalgic for people born in the 90’s and i wasn’t!! but most people would be ok with a simple interface like that one
  7. it is not a repost but an upgrade and thank you
richardisaguy@lemmy.world on 25 Mar 13:32 collapse

On 5, i mean I don’t see how you can switch tasks with it, like you know, a dock, or a task manager widget in plasma or windows.

NoFood4u@sopuli.xyz on 25 Mar 09:17 next collapse

I like that wallpaper, do you have a source for it?

adrianhooves@lemmy.today on 25 Mar 13:06 next collapse

yes of course of course, i will send it once i get to my computer!!

darksiderbun@lemmy.ca on 25 Mar 21:06 collapse

Can I have it too? :3

adrianhooves@lemmy.today on 25 Mar 21:25 collapse

yea alright sure, i’ll just turn on my computer in a bit!!

adrianhooves@lemmy.today on 25 Mar 22:55 collapse
gonzo-rand19@moist.catsweat.com on 25 Mar 11:02 collapse

I'm not sure that I agree that low-contrast text in the top panel is friendly to old people (or anyone, for that matter). Text that contrasts with the background is way easier to read and strains your eyes less.

I would hate to use this desktop, it's a pain in the ass to even read the clock in the top corner. I don't even have vision problems.

adrianhooves@lemmy.today on 25 Mar 13:06 collapse

pain?? ok thank you!! i will change it so that i can use it in a better and less painful way then!