Usability Forum

Ubuntu, Standard download needed

By kmaage. Monday, 24. July 2006, 15:47:22

(ed. note- this is a follow up to this post)

I put myself into your situation and thought "download and install," assuming it would have installation instructions included with it. But Ubuntu doesn't follow the standard download-and-run for windows users. I ran into a few problems of my own...

Found the download link alright...

And got a list of mirrors. No problem.

But the one I chose provided no help at all. Which file is the most current? Which is correct for my operating system? Most other sites ask you those questions up front, then give you the one file that matches your needs.

So I went back, and noticed this link "this FAQ entry for more information." Apparently this is for questions asked by authorized users only.

I read the rest of the page, and waaaaaay at the bottom, it tells me what to actually do with the file I'm about to download. How about distributing an executable that extracts the iso, checks it, and burns it for me?

Reasonable instructions at this point, but I have to now first download and install another tool...

Conclusion:

Every windows user expects "download and run," Usability principle: Standard interactions let a user "skip" frustrating re-thinking. So ubuntu should produce an executable windows installer that does the fetching of the iso and burning it. And put a link to the installer instructions right next to that, so you can learn while it downloads.

Rethink your navigation schemeDesign: The good, the bad, and the ugly

Comments

Eddie_Lopez # 24. July 2006, 17:47

That is a great post. Man, I like having an actual usability guy around.

I also thought there would be instructions included with the download somehow, but I still thought some "pre-download" instructions should be a)available and b)easy to find.

kmaage # 26. July 2006, 08:53

[looks up that blockquote style class: class="bbquote" , again...]

an actual usability guy around

No big deal. Not like I'm a celebrity. Got my masters from DePaul University in Chicago (go Blue Demons!).

But thanks for the compliment. I think you have quite an eye for usability, and your prolific posts are encouraging. Keep up the good work!

IcePanther # 26. July 2006, 09:10

Hello,

I completely agree there should be clearer instructions on how to download and on what particular file to download, for example, under the download link, a simple link pointing to the iso file you need, maybe depending on your configuration (a little like nVidia's site for drivers where you select platform etc.)...

BUT, I don't think an EXE installer should be included. Sure it is easier for novice users to use, but, few novices actually want to try and use Linux.
I would absolutely hate having to install a specific piece of software, as I've already Nero. Many people use CD-burning software already, and it's not difficult to burn a ISO.
Though, I agree an EXE burning tool/installer could be provided in addition to the ISO image, for thos who don't know how to burn an ISO or don't have the software. But it should not be the only way to burn the image.

Eddie_Lopez # 27. July 2006, 03:49

IcePanther- do you think my original post is arguable? I'd like to make a recommendation to the ubuntu community after I (we) figure out the best way to approach the navigation.

Eddie_Lopez # 27. July 2006, 04:00

Kmaage- Regarding your education- I've been looking for something similar here in Minneapolis/MN area, but haven't had too much luck. I've sent some emails to Univ. of Min. faculty with a possibility of creating a emphasis in HCI with an existing MS program, and I've also thought about Rensselaer Polytechic Institue's distance program (link), but I'd prefer to be in a classroom instead of my living room.

vlad2344_1 # 29. July 2006, 08:50

Every windows user expects "download and run," - that is one of the reasons why Microsoft has an advantage over other operating systems. They can be better than Microsoft, more efficient, more secure... but also more difficult when it comes to making it run "out of the box".

"...ubuntu should produce an executable windows installer.." - wake up and smell the coffee... ubuntu is NOT windows-based software, but linux-based.

One of the big hurdles of Linux and its variants is that it is kind of elitist (read "31337"), as it caters mostly to propeller heads and rocket scientists. The software and its development are "bleeding edge", but with all these changes, a casual user can be at a loss in making it all work the way it should. Case in point: you can get the mouse to work, but maybe your internet connection is not recognized, or you cannot get sound to work in your machine, or any other thing that in a (MS)windows machine you just click on whatever it is and it works the first time.

For Linux to be taken as a serious contender against Microsoft, they have to come up with the user-friendliness of a windows or a mac.

IcePanther # 6. August 2006, 10:52

Hi Eddie_Lopez,

Sorry for the time taken to answer, I was on holiday. I don't think your post is 'arguable', I completely agree their site is messy and it is uneasy to find the installation links / the installation procedure.

The thing is, it can indeed be useful for novice users to have an EXE installer file, that will, as you said, download and burn the .ISO. But, what I think, and sorry if I made myself unclear in my previous comment, is the EXE installer should be an option, but not the only one, and a link should remain to the .ISO image, for less novice users that already have Nero or other CD burning software and know how to use it.

kmaage # 23. August 2006, 09:46

the EXE installer should be an option, but not the only one

I absolutely agree. I realize that there are two or more distinct user groups. In writing I made two assumptions:

Ubuntu wants "regular people" to install their distribution. Windows users, everyone.
Everyone (even geeks) hate wasting time looking for the stuff they need.

Perhaps I should have stated that up front. Any reorg they do of the site, they should "think through" an interaction from the perspective of each of their main audiences (for example: people wanting to try linux for the first time, people upgrading an existing Ubuntu install, people switching to Ubuntu, etc).