ReadOnlyBootPrompt is too ugly

[axeld]

As the first thing you see after the marvelous boot screen, ReadOnlyBootPrompt is simply too ugly.

One thing that definitely looks bad is the BTextView on top - why not embed it like it is done in BAlerts?

I'm not sure the logo would do any good, as the one in the Installer would likely look different. Opinions welcome.

[pulkomandy]

I've started to replace the text view with a custom view using the 'background leaf outline' below the text. Will commit once I finish cleaning up the code.

[pulkomandy]

Fixed in hrev39263.

[mmadia]

mockup of possible gui design

[mmadia]

Re-opening ticket, based on feedback from ​haiku-commits r39342 thread

Below is a rough mockup of a possible gui design. It has design elements from other preflets, such as DataTranslations and Locale. The Keymap tab would look similar to that of the Language tab.

[axeld]

While that would already improve the situation (although I would leave out the frame around the text on the right), I would also change the text to something more helpful, and probably omit the localization notice completely (or only show it for incomplete languages, since it's definitely not needed in English).

The text I am thinking of would take away a bit from the Installer welcome warning, basically "Thank you for trying out Haiku! Have fun." in maybe more welcoming words :-)

While I am talking about the Installer, I think I would only leave the "this is alpha quality" warning in the text (as long as that's true), and move the rest to a more appropriate place that can be visited (several times, if needed) from within the application. It has too much information in it to swallow that at once, and still remember it afterwards IMO.

[pulkomandy]

I find the tabs somewhat overkill for such a simple application. What about using popup menus instead, or putting the two lists one above the other in the left area ?

Remember this is supposed to be a simple message asking the user if she wants to install or use liveCD mode. With tabs,one needs 4 clicks to get out (language; keymap tab; keymap; install/live), not mentionning scrolling the lists if needed.

[axeld]

I would think that the idea is that you don't have to care about the keymap -- it should be set automatically from the language you selected. Therefore, I think hiding the keymaps a bit more is okay; whether it is another tab or a menu I don't really care about, though.

In any case, ReadOnlyBootPrompt does not really need to care about the keymap, as it does not really have much keyboard interaction.

[pulkomandy]

Unfortunately, this is not going to work with our small list of languages, which is far from covering the keymap choice.

Having a way to chose the keymap here is of limited interest, not only for the boot prompt, but also for the installer which is completely mouse driven. Let's say you use a dvorak keyboard, or some other strange national one. In this case, you need a way to select the keymap before entering drivesetup to enter the partition name. And this would feel out of place in the installer or in drivesetup.

[humdinger]

Replying to axeld:

I agree, that the keymap should be set automatically according to the select language and it's OK to hide the keymap setting a bit in e.g. a second tab. I should be able, however, to set the language to English but change the keymap to German.

In any case, ReadOnlyBootPrompt does not really need to care about the keymap, as it does not really have much keyboard interaction.

That's true, but I think the ReadOnlyBootPrompt is supposed to be a quick-configuration screen before installing/live-mode. Three things can not simply have sane defaults: language, keymap and time/timezone. The system can (and should) try to guess these, e.g. by checking for the network clues, but has to offer a way to correct these assumptions.

Then, correcting the timezone (according to a continent/country list) could set the according time, language and keymap.
Correcting the language also sets the according keymap.
Lastly, you could go with another keymap setting.

[axeld]

Very sound, makes sense.

Adrien, I think it would still work to automatically preselect a keymap when you change the language (and haven't touched the keymap yet): if the language of your choice isn't available, we would just stick to English, and you could then use the second tab (or menu) to change it.

One way would be a keymap popup below the language list that would say "Default" or "choose by language", and where you can easily override that setting if needed. That way, it wouldn't steal as much space on the screen for something that will only be rarely used.

[scottmc]

Any recent progress on this one? Should it be required for alpha3?

[axeld]

Since it's even uglier than when I opened the ticket, I'd say it should stay in alpha3 - after all, this is the very first thing people will see when they install Haiku, and it shouldn't be such a downer!

[pulkomandy]

I had my try on this, and I don't think I can do better (I like it this way, anyway). If someone wants to have a look, feel free to.

[axeld]

I'll see what I can do in the next few days (might be nothing, though).

[axeld]

My suggestion would be hrev41332, please comment, also if you don't like the text, or have any other kind of suggestions.

It doesn't add any features at this point (like the ones proposed in earlier comments), but I added TODOs for those into the code.

[pulkomandy]

Ok, now everyone is happy it seems :)

[diver]

The only question with new ReadOnlyBootPrompt is what is "Custom" keymap?

[axeld]

You see this if you currently have a non-default keymap set; ie. this cannot happen during installation.

[diver]

I see, thanks!

[mmadia]

Modifying ticket to reflect the renaming of ReadOnlyBootPrompt to FirstBootPrompt.