Bacon Justifies Ubuntu Decisions

Seems Jono Bacon just can't understand why users are still complaining about the drastic changes that came with Ubuntu 11.04 and the Unity desktop. He begins by stating emphatically that he's no interface designer, but the problem isn't the overall design so much. The issue for The Distro for Human Beings is that it doesn't actually understand human beings.

Bacon spends quite a lot of time trying to explain the philosophy of some of the most annoying features of the Unity desktop. Some of his arguments are almost laughable. I particularly liked the one assertion that hiding the window buttons and the menu is a great idea because "people learn by exploration."

 Well, when did it become an operating systems' function to teach people to learn?  Software can help a user learn any number of things, but the operating systems' job is to provide the stable environment and then get out of the way. Users don't want their computers to become an obstacle.  We are the users, you are the machine. You do what I want. And I do not want you to make me jump through hoops to find the most basic of functions.  If people want to learn Linux, they should learn directory structure, driver handling, software management, and the such. They shouldn't have to waste time learning how to find window buttons. "People like to explore," he says. Well, thanks for the condescending dime-store analysis. Besides after the first "learning" experience, it just becomes more work to get to the basic function.

Here let me help ya out there, Jono. People don't like being told what to do, how to do it, where to do it, and how much we should enjoy doing it your way. You can try to dictate from up above how much better your way is, but you can't make folks like it. You are there for the users and not the other way around. Without your users, you have no reason to be. Like many of your ilk, you're under the impression that us lowly users are sheeple and must therefore follow your most exalted and elite judgment. You know best, right?

We can't possibly think for ourselves. He sums up with, "Personally I think the latter looks far sleeker, less cluttered and pleasant to use. Having used Ubuntu 11.10 for a month or so, this small change has really been a nice touch and I am pleased that these small touches continue to refine the Ubuntu experience into a truly desirable and powerful product that is simple and effective for everyone."  Well, I guess your opinion is the only one that matters.

 Thank you, Sire. Shall I kiss your ring?