Rant on KDE 3.2

[Quattro]

Unlike previous versions of KDE, KDE 3.2 flashes the taskbar whenever a window opens in the background. There is no way to turn it off. I've only discovered this recently, as I only first used 3.2 when I installed it on a VMWare ``box'' out of curiosity.

My eyes are VERY sensitive to these things, and I consider it a major inconvenience. The lack of taskbar flashing was one of the biggest improvements KDE had over Windows, and KDE's interface was one of the biggest reasons I switched.

When I complained about it on the kde-usability list, I was effectively told by certain developers, in a rather condescending tone, that whether I liked or not, it was a good thing and that I really wanted it despite my complaints. What arrogance! It was like being told, as a child, to eat my vegetables because they were good for me and I would really appreciate them even if I said I didn't like them. I don't see how anyone can possibly deal with those people. I certainly can't.

Now, normally I love KDE--I've been using 3.1 for months and it's been the single best interface I've ever used. Compared to it, everything else is unusable--Windows, GNOME, Mac OS, etc. However, I absolutely refuse to use 3.2 due to its taskbar flashing--this conviction was made far stronger due to the responses I got on kde-usability. I urge people not to use KDE 3.2, or any distro that includes it, until this is changed--both the taskbar flashing and the nasty, condescending attitude of the developers.

Thank you.

[stumbles]

Originally posted by Quattro

My eyes are VERY sensitive to these things, and I consider it a major inconvenience.
.

Then try changing the color scheme to something less pronounced.

I for one do not consider it to be a reason to not use 3.2.

[mrBen]

Originally posted by stumbles
Then try changing the color scheme to something less pronounced.

I for one do not consider it to be a reason to not use 3.2.

(speaking as a non-KDE user) is it possible to change the 'flash' colour to match the 'non-flash' colour, thus meaning that it does not flash?

[stumbles]

Originally posted by mrBen
(speaking as a non-KDE user) is it possible to change the 'flash' colour to match the 'non-flash' colour, thus meaning that it does not flash?

Dunno. It does not bother me so never have tried that. Though it's a good suggestion.

[bwkaz]

Originally posted by Quattro
When I complained about it on the kde-usability list, I was effectively told by certain developers, in a rather condescending tone, that whether I liked or not, it was a good thing and that I really wanted it despite my complaints. Then they won't change it. You can either figure out a way to change it yourself, or you can live with it. Or you can use Gnome. Or twm.

;)

What arrogance! No offense, but these were the developers. They have a bit of a right to be slightly arrogant, considering they wrote the dumb thing...

Granted, it was the -usability list, but you don't just go up to the developers of something and demand that they change something. Maybe offering a patch would make them a bit more inclined to accede to you, but to them, you're just a user, and (though I don't follow that list) it is possible that you might have been just a slight bit too demanding. It is also possible that they just plain don't want to rip out something that took them a good long time to get in there in the first place. Maybe if you wanted to make it so the user could disable it using a pref or something...

Now, normally I love KDE--I've been using 3.1 for months and it's been the single best interface I've ever used. However, I absolutely refuse to use 3.2 due to its taskbar flashing So don't. Nobody is going to come kill you for it. I applied a crapload of homegrown patches to Konsole, DCOP, and a couple of other programs because I couldn't stand the way they worked. One, I added an extra setting to allow Konsole to pass right and middle mouse button clicks through to bash. Two, I got rid of a bunch of stuff that kdeinit / DCOP printed after KDE exited.

So then, because I didn't want to re-figure out the patches every new release, I would wait 5 or 6 releases before upgrading.

Of course, now I don't use KDE at all, but whatever...

[irlandes]

Reminds me of totally unrelated experiences. some years ago, I bought a used car from my brother. it had limited slip rear differential, called Positraction. It was so bad I had to pretty well stop driving it in the winter. The problem was, with both drive wheels going on the ice, the back end would swing around all the time, which meant I would have problems on flat, level ground.

Of course, most guys had never driven it, so they believed the myth that with Positraction, you never had problems. When I told them what I had experienced, their comments ranged from: You must not know how to drive with it, to: You don't know good traction when you have it.

I bumped into a guy who had owned a car with Positraction, and he told me he got rid of his it was so bad in snow and ice.

Almost everyone is right here. The programmers get to make their own decisions, and those decisions are not always right for everyone, but they do not care, since they wrote it and made it the way they want it.

And, if setting flash and non-flash to the same colors solves the problem, that should be what you do, not just gripe and cuss about it. IMO.

[Darkbolt]

the brilliance behind it is, noones making you up to kde 3.2, you can stick with 3.1 if you want

[mart_man00]

No offense, but these were the developers. They have a bit of a right to be slightly arrogant, considering they wrote the dumb thing...
No there not. There not above us.

Just saying "well they wrote it" is a joke.

The car salemens sold me a car with only 2 wheels, o well, those were 2 tricky wheels...

Its there job, they took it up, its there responsibilty to do something in a reasonable amount of time.

Im glad Quattro is trying to raise alittle hell about what bugs him.

[stumbles]

Originally posted by mart_man00
No there not. There not above us.

Just saying "well they wrote it" is a joke.

True they wrote it and saying it is definitely not a joke. Since they are giving their efforts away for free, I think it does entitle them to a bit more say about their application than the user. I am not saying they should ignore user inputs but demanding is nothing short of slapping them in the face.


The car salemens sold me a car with only 2 wheels, o well, those were 2 tricky wheels...

The only one to blame for that is YOU for being dumb enough to buy a car with two wheels. If it was given to you would you have complained? Probably not when you could russle up two more wheels on the cheap.

Anyway that analogy does not really work since KDE is given away for free.

Its there job, they took it up, its there responsibility to do something in a reasonable amount of time.

Im glad Quattro is trying to raise alittle hell about what bugs him.

They do have priorities and frankly Quattro's demand falls at the bottom of the pile.

[wpnsmech]

If it did not flash before and they went to the trouble to get it to
flash, then they should have an easy way to turn it off. A simple on/off switch for those with vision problems. An easy way to get people to talk positive for your product rather than dissing it. Remember, word of mouth is a great influence on whether someone will bother to even try your product.

[wranga]

Your eyes are sensitive to this? I don't mean to be rude or anything but how can a flashing box be an inconvenience? Does it hurt your eyes or something? None of us are forcing you to use 3.2, if you prefer 3.1 then use it, no one really minds either way.

[stumbles]

Originally posted by wpnsmech
If it did not flash before and they went to the trouble to get it to
flash, then they should have an easy way to turn it off. A simple on/off switch for those with vision problems. An easy way to get people to talk positive for your product rather than dissing it. Remember, word of mouth is a great influence on whether someone will bother to even try your product.

I wouldn't say anyone is trying to "diss" the complaint. Just pointing out the rudeness of his self described behavior.

It is after all in beta mode. Instead of demanding a change via their mail list perhaps he should submit a bug/feature request. At least then it would be more "official".

I know from running what will be Mandrake 10 and monitoring their bug tracking system and the mail list. When such a large project is in beta there is a boat load of changes being made and can cause the developers to have short fuses.

[sasKuatch]

Quattro, have you tried something like twm, blackbox, fvwm, or Icewm? I'm pretty sure those don't have any blinking. Or maybe you could set the taskbar on autohide, so that you don't see it when it blinks. Just some thoughts.

[JThundley]

dude, KDE 3.2 is beta. Don't make any decisions about until the final is released.

[vader89]

Originally posted by wranga
Your eyes are sensitive to this? I don't mean to be rude or anything but how can a flashing box be an inconvenience? Does it hurt your eyes or something? None of us are forcing you to use 3.2, if you prefer 3.1 then use it, no one really minds either way.

Heck, I'm still using 3.0.3! :D

[wranga]

Originally posted by vader89
Heck, I'm still using 3.0.3! :D Why update when Microsoft doesn't force you to, right? ;)

[hardcore]

To stick up for Quattro, he/she didn't demand that they change anything. All that happened was Quattro complained, the developers blew a gasket, and although most of the population might think that "new window" flashing is a good thing, this person is affected by it.

But sticking up for the developers, as was said KDE 3.2 is in beta, and i'm sure the developers are a bit stressed trying to get 3.2 out the door.

I'd suggest emailing them again, and asking if they could possibly add a toggle switch, so that both parties might be happy. If that don't work, brush up on your coding abilities, or use KDE3.1 or another window manager. (You can still use KDE programs without KDE ;) )

[stumbles]

Originally posted by hardcore

I'd suggest emailing them again, and asking if they could possibly add a toggle switch, so that both parties might be happy. If that don't work, brush up on your coding abilities, or use KDE3.1 or another window manager. (You can still use KDE programs without KDE ;) )

It would be better to submit a bug/feature request.

[hardcore]

good call stumbles

[stumbles]

Originally posted by hardcore
good call stumbles

hardcore,

thanks.. It's from experience and observations about users "discussing items of interest" with developers. They could still deny the request but at least it will be in their database.

There are times though, when it could take more than one person's "wish" to make a change.