What Skype UI should look like?
By
Berkus on May 17, 2006 in Development.
I asked this question in [my LiveJournal](http://madfire.livejournal.com/369806.html) for Russian-enabled readers. And I also ask this question (may be a bit ahead of time) here:
* How would you like to see the new Skype UI?
* How should it function?
* How should it look?
* What features should it provide, what should be immediately visible and what should be hidden from sight initially?
* How to make the UI “smooth”, “silk-like” and extremely handy, transparent and easy for daily use?
Post your craziest ideas about it, “spatial interfaces” and whatever else you could come up with. Take the track off the usual UI and peek into some wildest experiments with user interface design.
I really **want** to hear what **you** think.
Comments
It should just use GTK 2.x and adopt the system theme. It should also follow the GNOME HIG.
More to the point, though, it should use ALSA, rather than OSS, under the hood, because having to fiddle with wrappers and permissions is not something the user should need to do. Most of all, tons of hardware simply isn't supported on OSS and ALSA offers a poor OSS emulation on that new hardware as well.
perkelix | Monday, Jun 12
Dear Berkus
most of engineers and managers think making a good UI just like eating piece of cake. However, in reality, they are wrong and very wrong. giving u an example, why Nokia successful, why other mobile manufactures fail. one of the main reason is on the UI.
I suggest that skype UI has to have a flexible to cater for different needs in different market segment. for example, I do not really like Skype UI consistent look regardless of my current desktop theme, in UI terminlogy, that is called, inconsistancy of native look.
it is a failure that the user did NOT have a Wow impression when they see the skype UI in the first time.
anyway, if u want to know more, please feel free to skype me as I am writing a book of creating a amazing UI. till next time.
liangyuning | Saturday, Jul 8