Novell Launches "Better Desktop" Initiative To Improve Linux Desktop

Goal is to Enable Developers to Improve Linux Desktop

Oct. 15, 2005 08:45 AM

Novell has launched what it calls the Better Desktop initiative, a new component of the openSUSE project that's supposed to give open source developers the usability testing data and resources to improve the quality of the Linux desktop.

Novell is releasing primary desktop research, including video footage and analysis of usability tests, at betterdesktop.openSUSE.org.

Instructions for constructing and operating a low-cost usability lab will also be provided. Novell figures it's giving open source developers their first glimpse of the kinds of desktop software designs that are succeeding with end users. It suggests they can mimic them.

Novell said the data is supposed to help developers refine applications, including adjustments to menus, screen layouts, dialog boxes and even the icons and colors of a user interface.

(This is an abridged version of a story that appeared originally at www.clientservernews.com.)

Published Oct. 15, 2005— Reads 3,813 — Feedback 1
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