MX Linux 18 - suggestions from long time user

[kepler1]

Hello all! I've been using MX Linux 18.3 lately and i got only good things to say about it.

I have some suggestions that I think will improve the user experience in MX Linux.

1. Show Desktop shortcut should be set to Super + D by default. (from the XFCE Window Manager)

Explanation: Many users come from Windows, in which the default shortcut for showing the desktop is Super + D.



2. Set the window title to a slightly larger font and make it bold. (from the Window Manager)

Explanation: Making the window title larger and bold will make the window title stand out more.



3. Delete / Disable the shortcut for the XFCE Whisker Menu (from the Keyboard shortcuts section)

Explanation: If you will add any shortcut that will user the Super key in combination with any other key, the XFCE whisker menu will pop-up every time you use that shortcut. (for example add a shortcut Super + E for Thunar. If you use Super + E, Thunar will open but behind the Whisker Menu)



4. Enable compositing by default

Explanation: I have an old rag (e4600@2.4ghz, Radeon 7470) and I have no issues in running with compositing enabled. Also, MX will look better.
Here are my settings:



5. DISABLE flat-volumes (please!) from Pulseaudio (/etc/pulse/daemon.conf)

Explanation: If you don't want to have ear problems, just disable it. REALLY! Everyone will benefit from this.
Just uncomment flat-volume line and set it to no. (restart pulseaudio after)



6. Add Redshift-GTK + geoclue2-0 in to the default installation

Explanation: WE need this. Especially at night.

7. Enable desktop icons to be visible by default.

Explanation: Many new users will have problem in finding the way to enable Desktop Icons.



8. Chromium - Please enable Title Bar to be visible (minimize + maximize)

Explanation: As a user, i would like to have the possibility to minimize, maximize Chromium without additional tweaks.

No minimize, maximize - default install:



With Title Bar enabled (maximize and minimize are visible):



I really hope someone will look at these. Note that I've been a long time XFCE user, it has some quirks but overall it's great.

I would like to contribute to this distro, so this is part of my scope :)

[Eadwine Rose]

Can you please reduce the image sizes to 600x600 max to comply with the rules, thanks.

viewtopic.php?f=133&t=48374

[kepler1]

Can you please reduce the image sizes to 600x600 max to comply with the rules, thanks.

viewtopic.php?f=133&t=48374

Sure. Images do not exceed 600x600 anymore. Thanks.

[Eadwine Rose]

Thank you! :)

[Jerry3904]

Thanks for the thoughtful suggestions! As you know, we are in early development for MX-19 so this is the perfect time to put something like this out there.

[JayM]

4. Enable compositing by default
Explanation: I have an old rag (e4600@2.4ghz, Radeon 7470) and I have no issues in running with compositing enabled. Also, MX will look better.

I agree that compositing can make MX look better, but given that the minimum requirements per the manual are "a modern i686 Intel or AMD processor" and "512 MB of RAM memory" having compositing pre-enabled may cause issues on older, less-powerful hardware than yours. For example, this afternoon I installed MX on a 32-bit notebook that was made in 2009. It has 2MB of DDR2 RAM and a single-core Atom processor at 1.6GHz, though for some reason its BIOS is showing that it's running when idle at only 800MHz, and 128MB of shared memory for use by the onboard video, and an 11 inch VGA (I think) screen. I suspect that enabling a compositor would use up even more of its limited resources just for the sake of some eye candy that I don't need for the computer and OS to run. I think it's better to have the minimum of stuff enabled by default then let those who want to and whose systems can support it enable more if they wish, rather than pre-enabling it and potentially causing issues for some users.

[chrispop99]

Thank you for your suggestions.

Your ideas are primarily about personal choice, not functionality, and you will never get agreement as to what is 'best'. For example, I often use the 'Super' key to select the Whisker menu, and I hate having any desktop icons on any operating system. Some of your proposed changes would be annoying for me.

Chris

[JayM]

6. Add Redshift-GTK + geoclue2-0 in to the default installation

Explanation: WE need this. Especially at night.

Yes, please! Redshift helps prevent me getting a "second wind' at night and ending up getting lost in watching YouTube videos and staying up way too late because "I'm not sleepy."

(On the other hand, having one's screen change color temperature after local sunset might be annoying to some people, such as those who work graveyard shift and primarily use their computers between midnight and sunrise for example, or coders or gamers who frequently pull all-nighters. So maybe it's better to leave it as an option for those who want it.)

[mxer]

The Super key is often used to bring up the menu, on many distros, & is especially useful if the task bar is hidden, also for those that use the keyboard, this alteration is probably not a good idea.

[Fibogacci]

Thank you for your suggestions.

Your ideas are primarily about personal choice, not functionality, and you will never get agreement as to what is 'best'. For example, I often use the 'Super' key to select the Whisker menu, and I hate having any desktop icons on any operating system. Some of your proposed changes would be annoying for me.

Chris

I have the same habits: for a few weeks I always use 'Super' key to select start menu and type in program (earlier I used Alt+F3) - and I really don't like icons on desktop. Actually, the fewer distractions (signs, icons, information,stimulus), the better work. Anyway, it's personal choice/preferences.

Too many icons on desktop is a 'bad' habit from Windows (just a subjective opinion).

What old Windows users (any users) are often missing is more flexible attitude to changing habits and maybe learning new things. They should take into consideration that there are habits and there could be even better habits - but must be first tried/acquired.