"Task Pooper" could revolutionize GNOME desktop | Hacker News Reader

"Task Pooper" could revolutionize GNOME desktop

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28 pointsjedi_stannis11 comments

... this could be a great idea, but using language like that helps ensure Linux desktop will never get to the mainstream.

I understand this is a codename/prototype, but this has gotten out to the blogosphere. Can you imagine Apple or Microsoft calling their features "Code Name Poopy Diaper"?

Yeah, naming has never been free software's strong point. I had a hard time understanding what it was until I read the pdf in the linked blog post. Hopefully by the time the idea is fleshed out and presented to a more mainstream audience there will be a better explanation of what it is and no sign of the poor code name left.

Linux doesn't need to be any more mainstream than it already is. Coding for open source projects is fun because we can forget about formalities and pissing contests.

Did KDE become less fun when it went from being the Kool Desktop Environment to the K Desktop Environment?

It's Gnome, not Apple. Their success and/or continued existence is not predicated on secrecy, message control, and surprise announcements.

Besides, `task pooper' is whimsical, not offensive.

Poop is shit. Most people find shit disgusting.

The English language is not short of words, so I'm sure they could have found a better name. Like, idunno, Task Wilted Lettuce, or Task Slightly Dirty Underwear, or Task Dull And Boring.

an you imagine Apple or Microsoft calling their features "Code Name Poopy Diaper"?

Nope, but I can't imagine them writing software worth using, either. Maybe I am just unimaginative though.

Why we don't have file system for X windows?

Everything is a process or a file, and most "new" ideas, for which is needed a lot of work (or afternoon for some kid), could be implemented on top of equality of this concepts.

It might be impossible, but there is abstraction SCREAMING to be explored.

Plan 9 ideas might live again! :)

Anyway, good work!

I "file" windows I don't need onto another virtual desktop. Example: I click a PDF to download, it opens in evince, and when I decide "too long; will read later", the window gets whisked off to another desktop. (XMonad.Actions.FindEmptyWorkspace automates this operation.)

Occasionally, I notice I have a lot of occupied desktops, and then "garbage collect" the tasks.

I think this is a lot like what the article describes -- tasks for later go in a special area.

Stuff like this leaves me with mixed feelings. Yes, it's nice to see real innovation in FLOSS software. On the other hand, I have to ask:

(1) If you have a laptop running Linux, can you use suspend/hibernate/etc., with the same confidence that Win & Mac users do?

(2) Can you quickly, reliably set your laptop to display on a projector?

(3) Can you reliably connect any old device (think: iPod), and expect it to Just Work?

In my experience, the answers are (1) depends on the laptop [and maybe the phase of the moon], (2) no, unless you know about, install, and set up disper, which, for some reason, is not a standard part of any major distro [that I know of], and (3) be real.

And then I have to ask:

(4) Why is so much effort going into new desktop UI directions, when the basic stuff still desperately needs work?

So, yes, UI innovation is cool. But other things would be cooler.

I'm running Emerald Theme Manager on my Gnome-based Ubuntu laptop and it already looks great. However, it's nice to see innovation happening in the Gnome desktop.

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