 |
Help us to move faster and make a better system for you. Donations are highly appreciated.
Donations Sum: $ 400,00
|
|
 Help us to fix problems and defects. Please report bugs here.
|
|
|  | Admin | | No Online Admins |
| | | |  | Online |  | Members: | 0 |  | Guests: | 31 |  | Total: | 31 |
| | | |  | Online Members | | No online members |
|
|
|
| |
| Author |
Message |
molom
|
|
Post subject: [SOLVED] Some Advice for next release
 Posted: Jul 05, 2008 - 11:21 PM
|
|
Joined: Jul 05, 2008
Posts: 43
Status: Offline
|
|
After the Viola second and third release, I think the distro can attract a larger crowed if you consider these suggestions, it can bring much of the ubuntu users to come and use Parsix instead.
Here is the list:
- Include LSI software - tuxsoftware.com (Very newbie friendly way to install software) (Least important thing)
- Make a more consistent theme - I noticed many people complained on Parsix reviews (even though its childish) about the theme and icon theme used, they complained about how the orange didn't mix with the blue or green, and the human icon theme is a ripoff of the ubuntu icon theme, maybe changing even the logo to a different unique colour might achieve this (Maybe dark green or blue). A lighter theme is far more easier to maintain (Had some text colour problems for example the categories in the gnome control center)
- Wireless annoyances - I did hear it was unachievable at this stage, but if you (Alan  ) manage to discard the parsix network configuration tool and only use the gnome standard one, that will cause newbies not to give up as often. I got ticked off at it
- Installation - Maybe including the same installer as the ubuntu one will make it nicer ( I think the parsix installer is not the same, can't remember )
- Unneeded software - Some software is just not necessary to the average user for example IRC, xsane some few more. Maybe switching gthumb to EOG l and switching to banshee once stable may attract more people as well.
- The persian settings - This completely kills unaware users, people think (Including me before) that this distro is for Persian people, you could relate it to Persia, but maybe including two editions might fix it. An English edition (Without that persian shortcut and selection in the keyboard settings) and a Persian edition (Has persian as the default language). I don't have anything against Iran, its just something that puts off unaware users.
- Bootsplash - Stupid thing right , but its what some people like, its what makes a distro seem more professional.
- CPU freq - I noticed that there are some modules at the top showing CPU freq or something, just remove them from the top panel and leave them in the list where you can add, makes Parsix look unfriendly.
- Window Selector - Noticed there was a window selector at the top right corner of the top panel, I find this unnecessary, you have a task bar at the bottom. If there is a use for it, can someone tell me?
- A nice Parsix set out utility - Maybe placing a utility in the installation asking whether you want the gnome default layout (2 panels using the gnome main menu) or a Windows-like layout (1 panel at the bottom, which uses the Ubuntu System Panel Menu (USP)). This will make Parsix unique because no distro gives a utility like this and it will appeal to Windows users more.
External things
- A slogan - Maybe instead of placing GNU/Linux under the Parsix logo, maybe its more appealing having a slogan, I don't know, maybe 'The Beauty of Debian' or something.
- Web design - A definate put off for some people, nice concept, but I don't know how many times I couldn't find the forums button, maybe placing all links on the left side panel will help
- Forums - Everything is everywhere, place categories such as the ones found here ( http://cafelinux.org/forum/ ), support, ideas, artwork, etc.
If these suggestions are taken into consideration, people will start to change, I know it. Debian is faster and a rolling distro, which will make users want to use Parsix opposed to Ubuntu. I will add to the list if I think of anything else. Please think about these ideas, they will pay off and they are not that hard to do.
What do other people think of this list? |
Last edited by molom on Jul 06, 2008 - 09:16 PM; edited 3 times in total
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
pelle.k
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Jul 06, 2008 - 01:30 AM
|
|
Joined: Feb 23, 2008
Posts: 25
Location: Sweden
Status: Offline
|
|
|
Quote:
- Make a more consistent theme - I noticed many people complained on Parsix reviews (even though its childish) about the theme and icon theme used, they complained about how the orange didn't mix with the blue or green, and the human icon theme is a ripoff of the ubuntu icon theme, maybe changing even the logo to a different unique colour might achieve this (Maybe dark green or blue). A lighter theme is far more easier to maintain (Had some text colour problems for example the categories in the gnome control center)
I'm not very fond of the dark colors, and the window decorations (in particular), so yes i agree.
Quote:
- Wireless annoyances - I did hear it was unachievable at this stage, but if you (Alan Wink ) manage to discard the parsix network configuration tool and only use the gnome standard one, that will cause newbies not to give up as often. I got ticked off at it Wink
There is no "gnome standard one", however i like the way it's set up in ubuntu, with the "network" settings module where you can choose a connection to be on/off/roaming, "roamin" meaning network manager really. However, i don't like wired internet to be "roaming" by default.
Quote:
- Unneeded software - Some software is just not necessary to the average user for example IRC, xsane some few more. Maybe switching gthumb to EOG l and switching to banshee once stable may attract more people as wel.
I'm not fond of unnecessary software as well, but i think parsix is rather slim as it is. I would go with totem instead of vlc, but each to his own. Oh, and gnash isn't that impressive either
Quote:
- Bootsplash - Stupid thing right Wink , but its what some people like, its what makes a distro seem more professional.
I can certainly live without it. However, it would be a nice addition. usplash?
Quote:
- CPU freq - I noticed that there are some modules at the top showing CPU freq or something, just remove them from the top panel and leave them in the list where you can add, makes Parsix look unfriendly.
- Window Selector - Noticed there was a window selector at the top right corner of the top panel, I find this unnecessary, you have a task bar at the bottom. If there is a use for it, can someone tell me?
- A nice Parsix set out utility - Maybe placing a utility in the installation asking whether you want the gnome default layout (2 panels using the gnome main menu) or a Windows-like layout (1 panel at the bottom, which uses the Ubuntu System Panel Menu (USP)). This will make Parsix unique because no distro gives a utility like this and it will appeal to Windows users more.
I'm not very fond of the extra applets that are standard in viola, but i'm not very fond of your ideas either. I prefer a vanilla gnome, with only some slight themeing (clearlooks human being a favourite). Something clearlooks, anyway.
That said, i don't really care for luring n00bs to parsix, but i am not against improving the experience in general |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
blix
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Jul 06, 2008 - 03:13 AM
|
|
Forum Moderator
Joined: Jun 19, 2007
Posts: 72
Status: Offline
|
|
Most of the issues that molom is pointing to are worth thinking except Bootsplash which IMO is stupid.
And is Parsix interested in attracting more users, specially "unaware users"? |
_________________
Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither.
Benjamin Franklin
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Jul 06, 2008 - 04:07 AM
|
|
Forum Moderator
Joined: Jan 25, 2008
Posts: 209
Location: UK
|
|
Welcome Molam
I see you are trying to change the world LOL, Parsix is not a Ubuntu look alike, and never will be its a very professional distro based on Debian. You must remember this is a Iranian Distro and about culture the theme are relevant to that culture, as is Pardus, Litrix, Sabylon. etc,etc. I come from the UK. We are totally multicultural and always respect that. The installer is simple and very fast one could say its more Windows, than most as is Sidux in the fact it defaults to a single partition, but the is good documentation to change it. and its so easy to copy paste the home partition to back up.
The layout is the personal choice of the devs. I personally like Conky but thats my personal choice. Anything can be changed
I prefer the standard gnome 2 bar desktop When ever I Install Mint I change it back to 2 bar and get rid of that stupid mint menu and use the default, but thats me I like gnome and don't want to fart about with a backward very slow menu.
I also use my computer for working on not just play so Xsane set up as default For me is good
Cinlerra, is just a couple of clicks away and works perfect that is my most critical application, I don't use any distro that Cinelerra is not stable without spending hrs trying in vain to get it stable. That narrows the list down of what I call stable distros.
I also think The Ubuntu route is bad for parsix I would like it to go more Sidux with Gnome instead of KDE.
But thats my thoughts Parsix is Parsix not any other wanaby. |
_________________
Parsix running AMD 6000 x2 64bt, Asus mother board 8gb ram, Nvidia graphic card 1gb unboard ram, Plextor PX760, EPSON R300, 2x 500gb sata+2x 500gb usb Hardrive, Netgear, 19" DELL monitor 1600X1200 X 75hz Resolution
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
molom
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Jul 06, 2008 - 04:17 AM
|
|
Joined: Jul 05, 2008
Posts: 43
Status: Offline
|
|
Thanks for everyone's opinions, this is the part of helping out I love, I like to hear the fact that some people agree with certain things and some hate other things, which makes it far more easier to know what to remove or add.
I understand about this not caring about unaware users. But my point is if we bring in a bigger crowd, we can lure more people into helping, suggesting and the most important people helping with development. There would also be more donations (In general), which will help out with some few things.
Ok I will cross out the things that aren't wanted and are stupid - Bye Bye bootsplash and tuxsoftware 
I think we've thought of enough, Alan is the developer, not me and he's the master and the one who decides
If there's anything just post it 
BTW I really like the screensaver, looks a lot better than the gnome feet |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
blix
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Jul 06, 2008 - 04:33 AM
|
|
Forum Moderator
Joined: Jun 19, 2007
Posts: 72
Status: Offline
|
|
| Unaware users do not help. they just complain. And I don't know if they will donate while they're complaining or not. |
_________________
Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither.
Benjamin Franklin
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
molom
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Jul 06, 2008 - 04:35 AM
|
|
Joined: Jul 05, 2008
Posts: 43
Status: Offline
|
|
| It might fix up their crying with some of these suggestions and they might not want a dummy afterwards |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
molom
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Jul 06, 2008 - 06:27 AM
|
|
Joined: Jul 05, 2008
Posts: 43
Status: Offline
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
xet7
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Jul 06, 2008 - 01:21 PM
|
|
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 20, 2008
Posts: 205
Location: Finland
Status: Offline
|
|
to molom:
Btw, you changing some text to white color made it hard to read for me, I had to select text with mouse to get colors inverted, so that I could read it. But to the suggestions:
Parsix is very good now, I love it, have used it from beginning of this year, and the first distro that I use daily for work and hobbies. I have also installed it for friend couple that has small business, they make ads to magazines with Inkcape, have free billing software installed, use mobile Internet, and it works great for them.
Parsix does so many things right for me:
- Theme: everybody has a favorite, the theme I use is called Parsix and it is included, Parsix named theme looks something a little like Ubuntu, with very clear buttons. It's very easy to change theme.
- Include/remove software: current selection is great. It's easy to add or remove software.
- VirtualBox: I use it in my work to run some apps in Windows, and it is included and working by default. This is a huge plus, and thanks to Alan for adding it.
- LiveCD, not DVD. My other PC does not have DVD drive.
- Gnome menus: they are good as is, this is not Windows. If you'd like other kind of menus, you can change them easily, as seen in other forum post.
- CPU Freg: I really need this to know when some app is using too much processor time.
- Date and time is fully visible, it's great.
- Changing current app from top menu: nice, I didn't know that, but it uses so small space in screen, it does not need changing.
- Webcam: my webcam works out of the box, Alan added support for it to the default Parsix kernel.
- Wireless: I'm not sure if Parsix specific ones are for supporting different hardware, so I can't comment on that.
- Persian settings: There's English, Finnish and others in LiveCD boot menu, it's fine.
- Webdesing, slogan: It's fine, very clear looking.
- Forum: this one forum is fine, because newest messages are in one place, and main developers reply here, and other users. Try that with bigger distros, heh, if you get reply from main developes.
Here is more care of new users, than in other distros. In this forum is not much traffic, because most things work. If you mean by attracting new users, that forum is flooded with some newbie questions, maybe you have that impression from other distro forums, where most things does not work.
Here are some impressions of other distros, that I had problem with. But remember, that on other hardware, following distros may work correctly. I don't have anything against any distro or any OS, if your Mac/WinXP/Vista/FreeBSD/anything else works great for you, it's good.
-Ubuntu 8.04
On my hardware, /var/logs is filled rapidly with many GB:s of kernel logs because of some kernel bug. I didn't find way to disable it. Some days ago I tried other Ubuntu based distro, that had the same kernel bug. And in Ubuntu 8.04 trackerd and evolution-data-server used 100% of CPU, so I had to kill the processes and uninstall them.
- Fedora 9
I couldn't find way to install all needed apps, could not enable autologin, etc.
- Sidux
LiveCD had some issues that Parsix does not have, I don't remember correctly anymore.
OpenSuse LiveCD did manage to start correctly, but it had different menu layout, some reports on DistroWatch said it used more CPU resources, and I didn't have the time to learn how to get all things working that are now working in Parsix.
Puppy Linux is fine for rescuing files and boots on my computer, but it's not translated so much, and smaller amount of features and software selection compared to Parsix/Debian.
Why I use Parsix? Because:
- Parsix boots and works faster than WinXP (or even slower Vista)
- It's more stable than WinXP
- I can test software that I develop in Linux, and under VirtualBox in WinXP or other OS.
- Actually it's so good and fast, that I forget that I'm using Linux - it fades to background, and can consentrate better to my work.
- As usual in Linux, updates come automatically to most programs.
- No need to defrag or reinstall often like it is in Windows. Actually with newer kernels etc, things get faster.
- If something does not work, it's usually easy to figure out how to fix it.
- If I manage to get all messed up, it's easy to backup files and reinstall Linux, because most hardware drivers and needed software is included with Parsix. It takes much longer to install Windows, drivers, apps etc.
I started using Parsix from beginning of this year. When I had free time, I made a page of tips (like notes to self) how I could get various things working pretty easily:
http://lauri.ojansivu.googlepages.com/parsixlinuxfixes
And I'm in progress of moving them to Parsix wiki:
http://www.parsix.org/html/index.php?mo ... g=HowTosEn
And translating them to Finnish:
http://www.parsix.org/html/index.php?mo ... g=HowtosFi
Parsix is small distro, where one person can make a difference. You can contribute to wiki, or help in forum with other friendly people, or donate.
But how can this one small distro from Iran be so much better than other bigger distros with much more developers? I really don't know. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
cmost
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Jul 06, 2008 - 02:21 PM
|
|
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 19, 2008
Posts: 135
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Status: Offline
|
|
@xet7 I couldn't agree with you more, on all accounts!
I love Parsix because it has the full power of Debian behind it without making too many decisions for users or insulting their intelligence, not like Ubuntu and its myriad of copycats. One key reason why Ubuntu is no longer binary compatible with Debian (and you can bet this was done on purpose) is because they have insisted on changing things that worked fine; to do things a different way. Does this behavior sound familiar? I always defer to Shaw's principle: Build a system that even a fool can use, and only a fool will want to use it. Parsix respects a certain level of intelligence and experience in its user base and I for one appreciate that.
As for many of the suggestions made by Molom (which I think are good by the way) keep in mind that you can make any change you want in this system because it's Debian. If you want Network Manager, you can install and configure it. If you want different colors, themes, icons, etc., they're all configurable (check out some of my Parsix themes on Gnome-look.org.) You can even install KDE 4.1 beta if it suits you. Perhaps some of us would do the community some good to write up some detailed howto's for some of these items and if people are interested, they can make their own changes. Ultimately, this is the best way to learn Linux as opposed to a system where everything is done for you. Enjoy Parsix. You've earned it. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Jul 06, 2008 - 04:15 PM
|
|
Forum Moderator
Joined: Jan 25, 2008
Posts: 209
Location: UK
|
|
@xet7
You say all the things I want to say but can't put into words
I started with Parsix at the end of last year Its probably the best i've used and is my preferred distro, along with Arch, and Sid, they are the only distros that cut the mustard all have been running the same time and all updated any problems are fixed with speed. Sidux has an amazing forum, Arch has a good wiki, Parsix needs to work on these things. Alan does a fantastic job but he is only one man, Parsix needs more people to donate both time and money. The later is not a problem for me, the former is as I'm dyslexic and it take me a long time to write so people including myself can understand. |
_________________
Parsix running AMD 6000 x2 64bt, Asus mother board 8gb ram, Nvidia graphic card 1gb unboard ram, Plextor PX760, EPSON R300, 2x 500gb sata+2x 500gb usb Hardrive, Netgear, 19" DELL monitor 1600X1200 X 75hz Resolution
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
xet7
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Jul 06, 2008 - 07:42 PM
|
|
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 20, 2008
Posts: 205
Location: Finland
Status: Offline
|
|
I just tested Arch, because I had heard elsewhere good things about it.
Some comments:
- No Finnish language in boot menu
- "LiveCD" does not start to X, like with Gnome or other desktop environment.
- It pauses on USB devices on bootup for some time, much slower that Parsix
- Smaller software selection than Parsix/Debian
So this is like, do much work to get most things working.
On the plus side, in the grub menu is Space Invaders.
Big wiki? Big forum? Talk about information overload. I need something small, simple, and fast.
Other distos have lots to catch up to be on Parsix level. I have so much software (from different Debian repos, some Ubuntu packages, etc) working great with it, and using Parsix has saved me so much time, I'm loving it. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
molom
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Jul 06, 2008 - 09:04 PM
|
|
Joined: Jul 05, 2008
Posts: 43
Status: Offline
|
|
I understand where all you guys are coming from. If you guys love the way Parsix is set up, then there's no reason to change it. I will place a [solved] thing on the title. If there was something I would still suggest, its the wireless config. Other than that, its a great distro. I'm using it on a T43 and I believe that Ubuntu couldn't do a better job.
Just to give out my opinion about the panel set out, I'm no Windows fanatic, I'm just a minimalist, I hate using more space up for no reason when a simple Windows set out does the same job.
Cheers,
molom |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
xet7
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Jul 06, 2008 - 09:34 PM
|
|
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 20, 2008
Posts: 205
Location: Finland
Status: Offline
|
|
molom:
If you need more screen space, just right click top or bottom panel, click properties, and checkmark "Hide automatically". |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
cmost
|
|
|
Post subject:
Posted: Jul 06, 2008 - 09:36 PM
|
|
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 19, 2008
Posts: 135
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Status: Offline
|
|
| molom, I could probably help you setup Network Manager (the same applet Ubuntu and Fedora use) in Parsix. It's not really that difficult. As an alternative (and the applet slated for inclusion in Parsix 'Boss Skua;) you could investigate GTKWiFi. This project looks really nice! Let me know. Perhaps we can cobble together a nice howto for others. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
FAQ
Search
Register
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
