TASK SUBMISSION - Interview a GNOME USER
DESCRIPTION: This issue examines the user experience of a GNOME app through a user interview to identify user needs and pain points. The interview was conducted virtually, allowing for flexibility and convenience while covering key areas.
INTERVIEW DETAILS
- Researcher: Hamidah
- Platform Used: Google Meet
- Research Date: 13-03-2024
- Duration: 20 mins
PARTICIPANT'S DETAILS
- Designation: Student and Front-end developer
- Name: Sodiq
- Location: Nigeria
RESEARCH GOALS
- Gain deep insights into the user’s experience with GNOME to identify areas for improvement.
- Understand user workflows and pain points when using GNOME.
- Evaluate user satisfaction with current GNOME functionalities
- Gather user needs and suggestions for future improvements.
POSITIVE FINDINGS:
1. Layout and Design: Sodiq appreciates Ubuntu's simple and customizable layout and UI design, which is also beginner-friendly.
2. Performance: He appreciates how Ubuntu is much faster and lighter in weight compared to other desktop environments.
3. GNOME Extensions: Sodiq finds the extension features very practical and desirable. To improve his workflow and reading, he can add extensions such as doc2dash, Pomodoro, and GS connect. This makes his GNOME distro more functional than Windows.
NEGATIVE FINDINGS:
1. Challenges with installing packages: Sodiq was used to using the command line on Windows, but he encountered some limitations when he switched to Ubuntu when using the terminal to install packages which used to break his system. However, he found solutions to his challenges by seeking help from Ubuntu's community. Although the community provided many fixes, it was not as user-friendly as the in-built solutions he used to get on Windows.
2. Lack of support for gaming: He spends a lot of time playing games. Still, Ubuntu lacks the necessary support for gaming applications primarily compatible with Windows, so he has to get Windows Emulator to play them directly. File manager options: The file manager in Ubuntu, Nautilus, lacks advanced functions, such as sorting and grouping files, file preview features, and the ability to open files as root or in the terminal as he is used to on Windows, thereby limiting his capabilities.
3. Search functionality in the File Manager: Sodiq faces difficulties searching for files within a folder. The current search functionality seems to be time-consuming and unproductive. Despite searching for a specific file, the search results display all files within the folder, making it challenging for Sodiq to locate the file he needs. This leaves him feeling frustrated and unproductive. The video below shows his issue with the search functionality.
4. Lack of functional default apps: He found some default applications, such as the Video player and the Rhythm box for music, entirely unhelpful, so he had to uninstall them and find better alternatives, such as VLC for video playing.
5. Lack of support for typical applications: Ubuntu does not support frequent applications such as Microsoft SQL server for database management, so finding alternatives is tedious.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Advanced File Manager features: Develop and add advanced functionalities like advanced sorting/grouping, context menu options for root access, and enhanced previews for a broader range of file formats to the Nautilus file manager to improve usability and seamless user experience.
2. Improved search functionality: Implementing a more intuitive search interface with better filtering options for quicker results and displaying search results with the most relevant files at the top based on filename, content keywords, and user access history.
3. Default applications: Recommend reviewing pre-installed apps to ensure they cater to a broader range of user needs. Consider offering a selection tool during installation for users to choose their preferred media players etc, and highlight open-source alternatives alongside pre-installed options.
4. Software availability: Provide clear documentation and tutorials on using popular open-source alternatives to proprietary software like Microsoft SQL Server. Offer pre-configured packages or one-click installation options for these alternatives within the software center.
5. Documentation and Tutorials: Providing detailed documentation and tutorials for common issues when users run into any issue, as in the case of Sodiq needing help with installing packages without them having to search online to find the solution
MAIN INTERVIEW RECORDING
INTERVIEW_RECORDING_WITH_SODIQ
RESEARCH REPORT - RESEARCH_REPORT_.pdf
RESEARCH SCRIPT - INTERVIEW_SCRIPT.pdf
CONCLUSION The findings of the GNOME user interview were significant beyond just the platform's speed and performance. Sodiq is satisfied with the efficiency of GNOME but has expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of support for common and gaming applications. I suggest the development team focus on fixing the search functionality issues and invest in creating advanced file manager options. This research project has provided valuable insights into the way users interact with GNOME and their aspirations for the platform's future development. By addressing the identified needs and implementing the suggested recommendations, the GNOME team can enhance the user experience and attract a broader range of users.