Should Ubuntu have a "Welcome Screen"?

[Ric_NYC]

It would play after the login.

Something like a slideshow or a short movie explaining things like codecs, restricted software, hardware drivers, installation of programs (Applications>Add/Remove Applications...), how to use the terminal etc.

That would help the new users.

If the user doesn't need that kind of information just click "skip"...

What do you think?

[nothingspecial]

See installation slide show for karmic.

[ChrT]

Yes, and it should say "Confused? man <packagename>".

[pmlxuser]

only problem i think it will look like copying from windows or trying to clone windows :)

[TheStroj]

That would be like a game trailer xD.

[Tristam Green]

Yeah man, that was the one aspect of Windows XP that I ... turned off as soon as I possibly could after a new install.

[RiceMonster]

only problem i think it will look like copying from windows or trying to clone windows :)

You can't be serious

[pookiebear]

no welcome screen. bootup should be fast. even the first one. IF I want a video/slideshow to tell me HI I will go to youtube.

[CharmyBee]

A clone of Windows 95's tip of the day thing (default on for first time users) could be useful. I specifically mean 95's, not 98's annoying big ben+ song or TKAE A TOUR WITH XP popup balloon.
Even Windows 3.1 offered a tutorial on how to use the interface and even do mouse clicking practice right after setup completed.

[Странник]

This one? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e53juaMGCho&feature=related)I really liked it

[pwnst*r]

You can't be serious

^^this

[wojox]

System > Help and Support worked good for me when I first installed.

[SunnyRabbiera]

A clone of Windows 95's tip of the day thing (default on for first time users) could be useful. I specifically mean 95's, not 98's annoying big ben+ song or TKAE A TOUR WITH XP popup balloon.
Even Windows 3.1 offered a tutorial on how to use the interface and even do mouse clicking practice right after setup completed.

KDE had this

[forrestcupp]

Yeah man, that was the one aspect of Windows XP that I ... turned off as soon as I possibly could after a new install.

That's what I was thinking. XP's "welcome screen" was very annoying. I hated it because it forced you to look at it once and restart your system before it gave you the option to uncheck the box so you didn't have to see it anymore.

I guess it could be useful to some people, but I always hated the one on Windows. Maybe a desktop shortcut to run one would be less intrusive.

[Omnios]

Hehe

K a windows like welcome screen could be ok but rather would have a button in the panel near the menu with a welcome screen notification pop up and a catchy icon that is easy to disable. This is kind of a different approach as it is there, the pop up tells you its there and it would be easy to use and friendly for users who do not need it. Sort of a notification pop up splash screen on boot and a launcher to launch it. Nice part is even if a new user disables it it is right there in the launcher for easy access and could be a good addition for new uers.

[HappyFeet]

A clone of Windows 95's tip of the day thing (default on for first time users) could be useful. I specifically mean 95's, not 98's annoying big ben+ song or TKAE A TOUR WITH XP popup balloon.
Even Windows 3.1 offered a tutorial on how to use the interface and even do mouse clicking practice right after setup completed.
http://assets.knowyourmeme.com/i/5663/original/doublefacepalm.jpg

[pwnst*r]

lol

[CJ Master]

only problem i think it will look like copying from windows or trying to clone windows :)

Really... just, really? Please. Even if it is "cloning Windows" that's not a bad thing if it adds to the operating system.

And yes, there needs to a be a popup on the first boot that'd ask the user if they wanted a tour, and if they say no it'd never be shown again. That could make things much easier for many people, considering how different Gnome is from Windows DE.

[gn2]

Bring back the little lifebelt icon that used to sit in the top panel.....

[toupeiro]

no welcome screen. bootup should be fast. even the first one. IF I want a video/slideshow to tell me HI I will go to youtube.



^^^ This. I think its pretty stupid in fact, that you would spend so much time working on making ubuntu boot faster, then throw a bunch of shiny nothing in a welcome screen. I've seen the one in the Karmic alpha. I'm not a fan! Its even worse if you're running two screens!

[toupeiro]

http://assets.knowyourmeme.com/i/5663/original/doublefacepalm.jpg

LOL!!

I don't even want to tall you how many decades before windows 95/98 that UNIX has had a message of the day... much better way to get your point across.

[hoppipolla]

Yup! And I think it will happen Karmic suggests the beginnings of it :)


EDIT -- Although yeah I guess we do have the quite obvious Help icon and option on the System menu... can't hurt to have more though IMO :)

[Jesus_Valdez]

Karmic's installation slide show is not enough?

[CharmyBee]

funnie picture of facepalm since i can't explain why i disagree in detail so i use a macro to be cool on the internet because it does the witty for me so I don't have to.
Yeah, because suggesting something in common with the OS that no one uses is a bad idea. Let's leave everyone helpless at their computers, at most tell everyone to 'man' it all or stop using computers forever. Is that your logic? :rolleyes:

What's so dreadful about this?
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/1189/win95desktop.png

[CJ Master]

Yeah, because suggesting something in common with the OS that no one uses is a bad idea. Let's leave everyone helpless at their computers, at most tell everyone to 'man' it all or stop using computers forever. Is that your logic? :rolleyes:

What's so dreadful about this?
<snip>

Exactly! Is it so hard to move your mouse over and click close? The potential gain for this is very large and the potential loss (e.g. having to click the button) is extremely tiny.

[toupeiro]

Exactly! Is it so hard to move your mouse over and click close? The potential gain for this is very large and the potential loss (e.g. having to click the button) is extremely tiny.

There's already a docked icon in the gnome menu bar by default for the Ubuntu Help Center. MUCH less obtrusive approach.

[CJ Master]

There's already a docked icon in the gnome menu bar by default for the Ubuntu Help Center. MUCH less obtrusive approach.

How is a simple dialog on the first start-up obtrusive?

[toupeiro]

How is a simple dialog on the first start-up obtrusive?

because it takes window focus. because it takes screen real-estate. because I didn't ask for help, but got it anyway. because by nature, its a pop-up. Because help is one click away without it. Shall I continue?

[hoppipolla]

To be honest I'm not sure if it makes the WORLD of difference as long as the help icon you need to click is obvious enough so a new user doesn't miss it.

I do think the help feature needs just a bit of work though as at the moment it does look a little plain and could maybe be arranged better... these would be positive changes I think to make things easier for a new user :)

[CharmyBee]

because it takes window focus. because it takes screen real-estate. because I didn't ask for help, but got it anyway. because by nature, its a pop-up. Because help is one click away without it. Shall I continue?

What, for the first time you boot an OS ever, you already are wanting to focus on another window? Sounds like thin air excuses to me. Confining the beginner stuff to the system tray I MEAN panel isn't welcoming enough.

[CJ Master]

because it takes window focus. because it takes screen real-estate. because I didn't ask for help, but got it anyway. because by nature, its a pop-up. Because help is one click away without it. Shall I continue?

To be blunt, so what? You would see it one time each time you install Ubuntu (which should hopefully be once.) It takes one second to close. And a simple tour could be extremity beneficial to a newbie.

[hoppipolla]

To be blunt, so what? You would see it one time each time you install Ubuntu (which should hopefully be once.) It takes one second to close. And a simple tour could be extremity beneficial to a newbie.

Amen to that :)

And CharmyBee you have an incredibly cool name and avatar! hehe :)

[Frak]

To be blunt, so what? You would see it one time each time you install Ubuntu (which should hopefully be once.) It takes one second to close. And a simple tour could be extremity beneficial to a newbie.
+9001 and 3 internetz