Archive for November, 2011

Android API designers are reading my mind!

Posted in Android, Software on November 27th, 2011 by loconet – Be the first to comment

You know you are working with a generous and well thought out system when there are moments you think the API designers are reading your mind. One of the greatest complements to an API designer’s foresight!

While working on a relatively dynamic layout for an Android app I’m developing, I came across a simple problem with RelatieveLayout. A certain View within the layout must always be aligned with another View … almost always. There will be times when this anchor view might be gone. Without manipulating the layout in code, that is only using the layout XML, how do we tell the layout manager where to align things if this anchor View might be missing? Wouldn’t it be nice if it just knew to fall back on using the parent ViewGroup as the alignment guideline? Well, Android API engineers thought that it would be nice as well: android:alignWithParentIfMissing. Sometimes I’m glad my problems are not as unique. More info here.

Rant on the complete disaster that is Ubuntu’s Unity

Posted in Linux, Software, Ubuntu on November 1st, 2011 by loconet – 1 Comment

The countless complaints on this entry over at slashdot speak about the complete disaster that is Ubuntu’s Unity and to a lesser extend, the new Gnome 3. I recently had to upgrade my system’s video card and in order to use my new piece of hardware fully, I was forced to upgrade Ubuntu. After the upgrade I was “greeted” to what I consider one of the most frustrating usability experiences I have gone through. From the hidden running tasks list, to the hidden static launcher bar, to the idiotic way it places the application’s menu bar at the top of your screen, the new Ubuntu UI is a disaster. I shouldn’t have to guess or work extra hard just to switch to a different window. This is my desktop not a smartphone, stop trying to save screen space with tricks that are counter-productive in this context. I usually welcome change as long as there is a purpose. However, change for the sake of change while degrading the user experience is not welcomed!

Luckily there are still options and I was able to switch to Gnome 3. It is a big change from Gnome 2 and very far from perfect but so far it’s “acceptable”.

If Ubuntu continues down this road I will sadly need to start looking at alternatives. My desktop should not be getting on the way of me getting work done.