DSL Ideas and Suggestions :: v4.x Desktop Icons



I think auto-completion is on by default
Okay, I've thought it over and this is how I think we can best serve new users and users in hurried or cramped situations.

I've tried to use edges intelligently and grouped similar programs on each row by function.  Easiest and most often used near the top and at the left.

This is essentially all of the 3.x icons plus the 4.x icons plus a Backup icon minus the redundant MyDSL icon.

I've also thought long and hard about the menu icons and I think the JWM default of showing them is the best way to serve newcomers, those less familiar and those in a hurry.  We just need to use a nicer, more homogenous collection; I fancy the set that shows the peppermint lifesaver (as GIMP uses).

21 desktop icons arranged and labeled as follows:



Code Sample

+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Current Icon    Show       Proposed_Caption  Position (X, Y) |
| -------------------------------------------------------------+
| FireFox         yes         internet          8,   5         |
| Dillo           yes         fast_internet     73,  5         |
| Beaver          yes         write             138, 5         |
| Xpaint          yes         draw              203, 5         |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| xZGV            yes         photos            8,   81        |
| xMMs            yes         music             73,  81        |
| Sylpheed        yes         email             138, 81        |
| Emelfm          yes         files             203, 81        |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| MyDSL           yes         MyDSL             8,   157       |
| DSLpanel        yes         settings          73,  157       |
| ATerminal       yes         console           138, 157       |
|                 yes         backup            203, 157       |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Ted             yes         word              8,   233       |
| Siag            yes         spreadsheet       73,  233       |
| Xpdf            yes         pdf               138, 233       |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| Rdesktop        yes         remote            8,   309       |
| axyFTP          yes         ftp               73,  309       |
| VNCviewer       no          vnc               138, 309       |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| ~/              yes         home              8,   385       |
| /               yes         root              73,  385       |
| Apps            yes         programs          138, 385       |
| Exit            yes         shutdown          203, 385       |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
| MyDSL (folder)  no                                           |
+--------------------------------------------------------------+
I am at lost for words. Especially with all the critism that was leveled at 4.0. Looks like 3.x and 4.x bumped into each other. This is not approach I have in mind.

Ultimately Desktop Icons are a matter of personal choice. I would have to say  starting clean and let the user decide on what his desktop should look like is better.

Having an Apps folder is so obvious, so easy. as well as the menu, I am not going to entertain further discusson.

Thanks for those who particpated both in written discussion and votes.

original here.