Why I don’t use Beryl/Compiz

Although I’m a Mandriva user, this post of Lucas Nussbaum’s from planet Ubuntu retained my attention. Using the fact that Linux needs 3D effects and proprietary drivers to face Windows is just a bad idea. Sure it adds some nice visual, is nice to show to friend so they can say “God, this guy is good at the computers thingy”.

But in fact, rotating cubes don’t make me feel better when I use my computer, and I just miss the “always on top” function of Metacity when I use compiz. That’s why I keep my 2D desktop.

This “always on top” option is a great thing, and I find it far more useful in the way I use my computer. Our (the OSS community) aim should just be to improve the user experience, and maybe we could then achieve to do things in a different way than Microsoft or Apple. Stop copying. Just listen to users… and create.

Proprietary drivers is not the subject of this rant. The subject is just that it should (or should not) be just a mean and not a goal. The real goal is to have users feel comfortable with a simple-to-understand desktop environment on Linux. Don’t forget that for 90% of the users, computers are just a tool.

The user wants a system that is simple, just works, and does not stop working as time goes without reason (often seen on Windows). He doesn’t want to hear about maintainance, security, backups, software updates. So please, think about average Joe. He may try your software. And maybe switch because it’s simpler, or better. Or because it’s different.