Ubuntu software center mockup

[Toxicbits]

Hi, I just made a quick and dirty mockup of the USC, a bit inspired by the mac os x app store.

What do you think? Does the Software Center need improvements and would the ones i did be helpful?

[cgroza]

With a 2 window interface? I don't like the idea of spliting the GUI in 2.

[Giant Speck]

I wish Software Center had a more native feel to it instead of a website feel.

[Toxicbits]

No, I should be only one window, the right one is only to show how the repositories would be displayed. Not in a sidepane, but as menus.

What do you mean by native? Using gtk UI-elements?

I would prefer a consistant look, too, but there aren't really UI elements for this, are there?

[NormanFLinux]

The official version is slow... it needs speed and usability improvements. For now, I use Synaptic for what I need to install and the Update Manager for any updates in the works.

[Kalimol]

It just needs more consistency. I don't think even your edit really helps that. There's the category splash screen, which as noted looks very much like a web page and has a visual theme that may or may not mesh with your system's skin (mine does not), and almost everything else is text list with small icons. I think that the first screen you see should be tweaked to follow system colors, but it's what happens when you click a category that gets really ugly and what I'd like to see changed.

Something with tooltipped tiles instead of lists (at least as a default view) would make a great deal more visual sense both for the opening category-selection screen and for what you see once you click one of the categories - look at Compiz Fusion's "preferences" interface.

I like the sources list as it is, but your idea conserves screen space and could make the app browser itself much more functional and easy to navigate.

[madjr]

there was another mockup here:

http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2010/12/this-ubuntu-software-centre-mock-up-is-bright-but-bold/


and submit here:
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SoftwareCenter/DepartmentVisualDesign

you should try to finalize / clean up the look before submitting and get both parts together along with any explanation you may want to add.

try pinta is very simple to use if you find gimp a little hard :D

[Toxicbits]

I made a new version. It still isn't quite polished, as I stll plan to add some aspects before submitting it. I hope you like this one better than the first version.

I thought that this top banner would make the USC more interesting and could be used to feature certain apps.

Additionally the software list replaces the three boxes on the left if one category is selected to achieve a more consistent look. Like on the wiki page of the software center the clouds at the bottom would be replaced with suitables backgrounds.

Toxicbits

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12598822/UbuntuSoftwareCenter.png

[madjr]

i like the new one, is similar to the google chrome web app store.

https://chrome.google.com/webstore?hl=en-US


you should definitely submit some of these

[Toxicbits]

Yes, there are similarities, even though I didn't take that one as model.
Do you think the Catalogue should have this big segment in the center or rather be displayed as a list like in the Chrome Web Store?

Furthermore, these collections seem to be kind of interesting. Maybe something like this could be added to the USC, too?

Still, in my opinion my design looks a bit too simple, somehow not "attractive" enough, so I wonder how I could change that. Any ideas?

Thx Toxicbits

PS: I am using SVG, so if you would like to change anything, go ahead: http://ubuntuone.com/p/UbN/

[Toxicbits]

Additional thought:

Maybe it would be the best if we create a list with the advantages and disadvantages of USC, the iTunes Store Chrome Web Store and so on. Then in a next step we could think about what should actually be included in the USC and how it could be integrated.

For example the single elements of the iTunes Store look nice and clean but overall it looks a bit messy.

[madjr]

also take a look at:

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SoftwareCenter

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/SoftwareCenter/Comments

[Kalimol]

I like it. It's much more attractive than the present version. The pseudo-tabs for the content area make a lot of sense. I dig.

[Viva]

I really like the second one.

[Toxicbits]

I'd like to keep the look as similar to the ubuntu.com site as possible, so should I put the (Sources ...) Panel above the slides and make the backdrop orange? And maybe add these monochrome icons in the corners of the three boxes on the left?
Another question: Would you like to see something like a favorites list, where you can add apps and which is alway synced to ones UbuntuOne account so if you want to reinstall your OS its easy to get your old setup.

As I already mentioned, it would maybe be interesting to have something like collections, which would be featured in a box like the "Get Software" one. Do you think that would be useful?

Update:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12598822/UbuntuSoftwareCenterDesignProposal.svg

2nd Update:

I just submitted this as a design proposal to the ubuntu-art mailing list

[Toxicbits]

Update: http://toxicbits.deviantart.com/art/UbuntuSoftwareCenter-Proposal-190497585

I was thinking again about the side-pane. Would you like to keep it the way it is now or is it better to save space, but making it more complicated.

Another aspect: In my opinion it would be useful to add a link to the update-manager.

Toxicbits

[zekopeko]

Update: http://toxicbits.deviantart.com/art/UbuntuSoftwareCenter-Proposal-190497585

I was thinking again about the side-pane. Would you like to keep it the way it is now or is it better to save space, but making it lmore complicted.

Another aspact: In my opinion it would be usefuln to add a link to the update-manager.

Toxicbits

I suggest you use the current Software Center as the basis for the mockup. Definitely keep the sidebar. Try and keep the current categories visible (don't hide them) as they are now. I like the banner in the second one but maybe make it smaller or look at how iTunes does it (they have one big and then 3 smaller ones next to the big one) if you are going to have it remain big.

I think that the most important part is to make highest rated and new apps on top so people can see what is good and new.

[Toxicbits]

I changed the design based on your comment. It now looks rather like the old USC:

http://toxicbits.deviantart.com/art/UbuntuSoftwareCenter-Proposal-190497585

[madjr]

Update: http://toxicbits.deviantart.com/art/UbuntuSoftwareCenter-Proposal-190497585

I was thinking again about the side-pane. Would you like to keep it the way it is now or is it better to save space, but making it more complicated.

Another aspect: In my opinion it would be useful to add a link to the update-manager.

Toxicbits

you can always add a "hide" side pane option :)

oh and keep on the good work. Am sure those mockups have already started to give them some good ideas for the upcoming versions. Not to mention their roadmap looks pretty exciting.

[Toxicbits]

Thanks to all for your feedback. Added a view for apps: http://toxicbits.deviantart.com/art/UbuntuSoftwareCenter-Proposal-190497585

Toxicbits

[DoeNietWil]

Very nice mockup, i hope they use some parts of it.
i mean the second mockup btw