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Miscellaneous => The Lounge => Topic started by: ReggieMicheals on 3 March 2006, 22:49

Title: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: ReggieMicheals on 3 March 2006, 22:49
The worst of the worst of GUI systems I've seen is Plan 9. Mac Classic is also fairly bad to the newb with little self explantory buttons.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Laukev7 on 3 March 2006, 23:07
(http://toastytech.com/guis/wb_10.gif)
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Lead Head on 3 March 2006, 23:24
Windows 1.0
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: noob on 3 March 2006, 23:29
Nothing wrong with amiga. More reliable than XP.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: ReggieMicheals on 3 March 2006, 23:33
We're talking UI, not stability...
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: adiment on 3 March 2006, 23:54
Mac OS classic... haven't tried amiga or OS/2 or etc.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: piratePenguin on 4 March 2006, 00:32
Windows XP pre-10hours-fucking-about.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: inane on 4 March 2006, 00:41
litestep YAY!!! And you thought gnome had configuration problems...
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Laukev7 on 4 March 2006, 00:42
Quote from: noob
Nothing wrong with amiga. More reliable than XP.

I have nothing against Amiga; in fact I like Amiga. But Workbench 1.0 was ugly as sin.

Here's a screenshot of the more modern Amiga OS 4:

(http://www.math.chalmers.se/%7Eerikkr/AmigaOS4/amiga_a2ps/ScreenShots/0.3/A2PSGUI_4.jpg)
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Lead Head on 4 March 2006, 02:05
Them old amigas can run GUIs like that!? or has it been ported multi platform?
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: ReggieMicheals on 4 March 2006, 02:07
Its been ported, and boy, that looks ugly!
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: H_TeXMeX_H on 4 March 2006, 02:59
All Window$ have shitty GUI ... they're not logical at all ...

the most logical GUI is (in my opinion of course) GNOME :D
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Lead Head on 4 March 2006, 03:45
I kinda like the Solaris GUI
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: WMD on 4 March 2006, 04:35
Quote from: Lead Head
Windows 1.0

This kid speaks the truth. ;)

What's with the hatred for Mac Classic?  I thought the interface was pretty great.  Oh, and criticizing Plan 9 for a bad GUI isn't really fair.  They aren't trying to make it a "usable" OS so to say...it's used for research.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: inane on 4 March 2006, 07:39
I love Mac classic's interface. simple, unobtrusive and very grey... three things that I can appreciate.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: mobrien_12 on 4 March 2006, 07:49
ok, early AmigaOS was ugly, but you are comparing it to modern standards... compared to windows 1.0, and early mac and GEM, it doesn't look THAT bad.  How was it to operate.

AROS I don't like.  Too dependent on the mouse.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Annorax on 4 March 2006, 11:32
Apple GS/OS has to be at least an honorable mention...
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: ReggieMicheals on 4 March 2006, 16:24
Quote from: WMD
This kid speaks the truth. ;)

What's with the hatred for Mac Classic?  I thought the interface was pretty great.  Oh, and criticizing Plan 9 for a bad GUI isn't really fair.  They aren't trying to make it a "usable" OS so to say...it's used for research.

To the noob who used windows/linux/OS/2 all his life it would be difficult, especially because some applications don't quit after you close the window(which does happen in windows and X, but a systray can easily show it running in the background).


Yeah, it is a reasearch OS but they should at least have a semi - good gui if they are to provide one at all. Remember this is about the UI, and not the core of the OS itself. Heres a Plan 9 screenshot:

(http://plan9.bell-labs.com/plan9/img/screenshot-small.png)
It looks clean, but its difficult...
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Lead Head on 4 March 2006, 16:55
Quote from: ReggieMicheals
To the noob who used windows/linux/OS/2 all his life it would be difficult, especially because some applications don't quit after you close the window(which does happen in windows and X, but a systray can easily show it running in the background).


Yeah, it is a reasearch OS but they should at least have a semi - good gui if they are to provide one at all. Remember this is about the UI, and not the core of the OS itself. Heres a Plan 9 screenshot:

(http://plan9.bell-labs.com/plan9/img/screenshot-small.png)
It looks clean, but its difficult...

Where is the Close, minimize, and maximize buttons we are all so used to?
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: ReggieMicheals on 4 March 2006, 19:40
That's the thing - you use mouse button 3 to close and minimize via a menu. You can't maximize automatically - you need to manully do it.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: hm_murdock on 4 March 2006, 20:14
Classic Mac OS didn't need descriptions and tips. It was designed not to. If something could be done, it was made obvious.

Re: defending Plan 9. The poll didn't qualify. It asked your opinion of the worse. Plan 9 is it.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Lead Head on 4 March 2006, 20:47
Quote from: ReggieMicheals
That's the thing - you use mouse button 3 to close and minimize via a menu. You can't maximize automatically - you need to manully do it.

Are you screwed if you dont have a 3 button mouse, or is there some other way to close it?
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: WMD on 4 March 2006, 21:47
Quote from: ReggieMicheals
To the noob who used windows/linux/OS/2 all his life it would be difficult, especially because some applications don't quit after you close the window(which does happen in windows and X, but a systray can easily show it running in the background).

Erm... when you close a window in Classic, the app stays active.  The name of the app is still clearly shown in the menu bar until you click something on the desktop.  I did, in elementary school, see some kids struggle with that, but I never did...I always wondered why they didn't notice the menu bar COMPLETELY CHANGING when they were clicking on the icon.

But besides that questionable element, the interface was flawless.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: ReggieMicheals on 4 March 2006, 22:39
Quote from: Lead Head
Are you screwed if you dont have a 3 button mouse, or is there some other way to close it?

No, you do not need a three button mouse. To emulate the 3rd button, you simply press shift + right mouse button.
 
Quote
Erm... when you close a window in Classic, the app stays active. The name of the app is still clearly shown in the menu bar until you click something on the desktop. I did, in elementary school, see some kids struggle with that, but I never did...I always wondered why they didn't notice the menu bar COMPLETELY CHANGING when they were clicking on the icon.

But besides that questionable element, the interface was flawless.
Yes, but I doubt most people who've used other OSes have the attention span to pay attention to that. Hell, I tricked my friend by running bittorrent in the system tray, which he never noticed. Heh, he was wondering all day why the DSL was slow...
 
Every interface has flaws. You just need to spot them.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Lead Head on 4 March 2006, 23:08
Quote from: ReggieMicheals
No, you do not need a three button mouse. To emulate the 3rd button, you simply press shift + right mouse button.
 

Ah..Ok..
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Orethrius on 4 March 2006, 23:36
I'm voting for Plan 9, mostly because of some VERY bad experiences with TWM.
"Maximize manually"?  ICK ICK ICK
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: ReggieMicheals on 4 March 2006, 23:54
* post was here, edited it for my reasons, can't find delete button*
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Commander on 5 March 2006, 03:50
what's wrong with the early apple guis? i loved those! I WORSHIPPED THOSE!!!

as for the worst, the default XP..  i'd work with plan 9 if i had no option to turn default "OMG!! WHY IS EVERYTHING I SEE BLUE" theme to windows classic (which is by far the best gui MS has ever come up with)
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Pathos on 5 March 2006, 04:00
Quote from: ReggieMicheals
No, you do not need a three button mouse. To emulate the 3rd button, you simply press shift + right mouse button.

Is that done in the latest fluxbox?

I use DSL on my laptops and I can't use the damn tabbing because there is no middle button.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Aloone_Jonez on 5 March 2006, 18:22
Windows 1.0  but 3.1 was piss poor too.

I'd say TWM was probably the worst GUI I've used though.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: ReggieMicheals on 5 March 2006, 18:29
Quote
what's wrong with the early apple guis? i loved those! I WORSHIPPED THOSE!!!

as for the worst, the default XP.. i'd work with plan 9 if i had no option to turn default "OMG!! WHY IS EVERYTHING I SEE BLUE" theme to windows classic (which is by far the best gui MS has ever come up with)

that's why its a poll.

Quote
Is that done in the latest fluxbox?

I use DSL on my laptops and I can't use the damn tabbing because there is no middle button.

I've never used fluxbox so I couldn't tell you...
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: hm_murdock on 5 March 2006, 21:20
Quote
I'd say TWM was probably the worst GUI I've used though.


But TWM is only a window manager, not a GUI.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Refalm on 6 March 2006, 10:05
GUI's I dislike:

Windows 1.0
OS/2
Gnome
Windows 95

I actually like:
BeOS
KDE
Microsoft BOB (stop laughing :))
XFCE
NewDeal Office
NextSTEP
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: inane on 6 March 2006, 11:04
Quote from: Refalm
GUI's I dislike:

Windows 1.0
OS/2
Gnome
Windows 95

I actually like:
BeOS
KDE
Microsoft BOB (stop laughing :))
XFCE
NewDeal Office
NextSTEP

What's the biggest diff between Gnome and XFCE? Configuration? Size? KDE is bigger than Gnome... I like all three but I'm just asking... not trying to start a KDE vs Gnome war or XFCE vs Gnome or anything, just wanna know.

Oh and here's my list:

Favourite:
MacOS9 -
KDE
Gnome
XFCE
Flux (or Black)

Worst:
Litestep (don't get me started)
TWM (I think we're all in agreeance here)
Plan 9 (9wm a lil better)
WM
e17 (in it's current state)
IceWM (bugs liken to e17 only not as pronounced and slow for being so small)
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Jack2000 on 6 March 2006, 17:49
duno i have aways liked win 98's gui and
i too think that it is the best MS gui so far :)
i do not know about other guis :)
i think guis are obsolite
and that we should use voice commands instead :
"boot" - and it boots
"dial-up" - and it dial's up your PPPoE conection
"empty trash" - and so on ...
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: piratePenguin on 6 March 2006, 19:01
Quote from: Orethrius
I'm voting for Plan 9, mostly because of some VERY bad experiences with TWM.
"Maximize manually"?  ICK ICK ICK
So does Plan 9 use TWM then? I like TWM, but only since I sat down to learn some about it. I only ever use it if I've yet to have installed another window manager or if I don't wanna start up a desktop enviornment or XFCE or fluxbox (because that would mean installing it).
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: anphanax on 12 March 2006, 01:31
Things I Dislike The Appearance Of:

1) Tandy Deskmate (what the crap...):
http://toastytech.com/guis/deskmateabout.gif
http://toastytech.com/guis/deskmate.html

2) Windows 1.01-1.03 (color scheme is awful)
http://toastytech.com/guis/win101write.gif

3) Windows 2.03 (sort-of ugly)
http://toastytech.com/guis/win203question.gif

3) New Deal UI (same issue with previous):
http://toastytech.com/guis/nd32oldui.gif
http://toastytech.com/guis/nd32web.gif

4) ReactOS (it's an early beta, but it's very unpolished):
http://toastytech.com/guis/react29explore.png

Things I Like The Appearance Of:

http://toastytech.com/guis/ff15tlinuxmandrake10_1.png (sex0r)
http://www.winsupersite.com/images/showcase/vista5270_081.jpg (so shoot me... I like the appearance of a Windows product...)
http://gnome-th.sourceforge.net/images/screenshot-01.png (good)

I would have put Mac OS X, but to be honest, I don't the window themes Apple puts in it. Something about the UI pisses me off. (spacing perhaps, sizes of things?)

And XP doesn't get listed on either. The Royale theme that was released last year is a big improvement (in my opinion) over the Luna crap. It leaves some to be desired (I wish it came in more than just blue, where's my bloody black, dark-red, orange, green, and purple? The green start button can be a bit annoying at first too) but I can tolerate it better than both Luna and Classic.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: WMD on 12 March 2006, 05:37
Quote from: Refalm
GUI's I dislike:

Windows 1.0
OS/2
Gnome
Windows 95

Funny...with all my contempt for Windows, I think the 95 GUI is the best they ever managed.  It's great.

Let's see if I can list my favorites in order...

1.  Mac System 1.1
2.  Mac System 7.5
3.  Windows 95
4.  Mac OS X 10.3+
5.  Gnome 2.8+
6.  Fluxbox
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: WMD on 12 March 2006, 05:39
Quote from: anphanax
1) Tandy Deskmate (what the crap...):
http://toastytech.com/guis/deskmateabout.gif
http://toastytech.com/guis/deskmate.html

Ha!  I actually own a copy of this.  It's not as bad as it looks.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: anphanax on 12 March 2006, 05:45
I've used the Tandy Deskmate UI before via emulation.

That thing was painfully slow, and the color scheme is bleh. It does a lot though, i'll give it that.

Wonder what the SDK for that thing was like.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Aloone_Jonez on 12 March 2006, 21:37
Well it will be slow if it's being run under an emulator.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: anphanax on 13 March 2006, 03:24
Yes, but it took like a minute (literally) to switch tasks...
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: mobrien_12 on 13 March 2006, 05:57
Refalm, which version of OS/2 did you not like the GUI for?  

MS Bob... I actually own a copy of that.  Found it in the rummage bit for like $2 and had to have it.  Not a bad GUI... for a toy.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Refalm on 13 March 2006, 09:39
Quote from: mobrien_12
Refalm, which version of OS/2 did you not like the GUI for?  

MS Bob... I actually own a copy of that.  Found it in the rummage bit for like $2 and had to have it.  Not a bad GUI... for a toy.

I have a copy of OS/2 Warp 4.
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: ReggieMicheals on 13 March 2006, 19:09
Quote
So does Plan 9 use TWM then? I like TWM, but only since I sat down to learn some about it. I only ever use it if I've yet to have installed another window manager or if I don't wanna start up a desktop enviornment or XFCE or fluxbox (because that would mean installing it).
No, it uses its own WM called Rio 8 1/2. It also has a very old and dated version of X tha tthey suggest you don't use(old enough for 8-bit colour depth).

I actually like the OS/2 UI. Ecomstation went a little overboard the the close, maximize and minimize buttons, though...
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Xeniczone on 26 March 2006, 03:43
windows has a weird gui. it was a sad attempt to copy the mac os. mac os classic if you guys are referring to the 7.0 or earlier i would expect it to look bad because of lack of colors. windows 1 is a very sad attempt at a window based os. but once again LACK OF COLORS. (or colours depends where you live.)
Title: Re: Worst GUI system you've seen
Post by: Aloone_Jonez on 26 March 2006, 04:00
Lack of colours?

Wouldn't that be because it came out in 1985 when the EGA card was the best around and it could only do 640x350 with 16 colours?