Talk:Minimalism (computing)

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Definition

I believe it might be bad form to define something by what it is not, even minimalism. I should investigate the nature of definitions. In addition, my definition is probably imperfect because I don't know the standard view; I am no expert. My definition's knowledge base isn't even strong enough to be attacked on the grounds of original research. It is simply an attempt to use the right words to describe what I *feel* computing minimalism is. I have done no research to confirm it, and even in this case, it would not be enough. Someone who is adequately informed of the general landscape of computing minimalism should examine the current definition and tweak it appropriately. (129.97.51.208 01:43, 18 July 2007 (UTC))[reply]

Cases

We should be making some sort of comment on why the minimalist case is preferable than the standard one. As is stands right now, the section is basically describing the images, which any user can do for himself. We should elaborate on why we chose this picture, or possibly why the focus of the case allows it to better perform its function. Also, I don't really know why cases have been singled out as the only example of minimalist hardware. There should probably be more diversity to properly convey the point. What is the article's point anyway? I have tried to edit the grammar and focus the article a little, but if you don't like my edits feel free to change them. It will help us if we all try and reason out our changes, and I will attempt to do the same. I changed the first line mainly because of the grammar. (129.97.51.91 09:21, 16 July 2007 (UTC))[reply]

Mozilla?

Umm... you chose mozilla as an example in a computing minimalist screenshot? Will someone please fix that? --Ctachme 04:55, 19 December 2005 (UTC)[reply]

I second this. The Fluxbox screenshot is beyond horrible. For a truly minimalist UI, see www.wmii.de.

I agree. The 2nd screenshot is all, but minimalist.

Pfft. wmii minimalistic? Don't make me laugh. I've posted a true minimalistic screenshot. --maru (talk) contribs 22:49, 25 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I finally found my ideal desktop. 1024x768 blue pixels. At last!

Yeah, Mozilla is not a Minimalistic Browser, Mozilla Firefox is closer to be minimalistic, but it is't, :I think that a real minimallistic browser for X Windows System is BrowseX. Check the screenshot: http://browsex.com/brxshot1.jpg LuiSoN

please consider adding minimalistic websites category, i.e. : "minimal guide to everything" http://www.whitemap.com

No spam in the discussion, please.

Beginners appreciate loads of features?

"Computing minimalism is usually endorsed by computer literates rather than beginners, since beginners appreciate the easy to use, feature rich environments that are presented to them (usually by default)"

As far as I am aware, the more that is presented to a beginner, the more difficulty they have. They are overwhelmed by options. I'm not sure whether to change it or not. --wht.rbt 14:48, 30 December 2005 (UTC)[reply]

It depends on what minimalism is, if it is shutting down deamons etc, then it is just computer literates who care about that, if it is having an uncluttered interface, and less to poke, then beginners benefit and like that. I reckon you should change it, it doesn't really have an effect on the article as it is. Craighennessey 00:11, 21 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Infact, after taking another look at this article it seems that it is all opinion, and made up at that? I personally used to find FVWM better, and now I like KDE, meaning that as a beginner I liked the simpler things. When we are presented with choices, and in the virtual world of computing we are, everybody is different, so why have an article on it at all? Could it not be "differing views on computer minimalism" or something? Craighennessey 00:18, 21 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Yes. The article is bloatware and the examples are all overcrowded. Take the hatchet to it, someone, it was written by maximalists.

ime it's the intermediate-level self-termed 'power users' who tend to like the baroque interfaces with lots going on —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.193.194.181 (talk) 22:32, 4 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Lightweight markup languages?

Three screenshots

I think those constitute original research. - Sikon 16:37, 15 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

You are entitled to hold your own opinion, of course, but the minimalist screenshots are all of applications that have been labelled minimalist. I don't see the OR there, and you may be interpreting OR overly broadly there. It originated as an anti-crank physics defense, not as a method to make us avoid stating the obvious unless we track down citations for each and every word in the article. --Gwern (contribs) 16:52, 15 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The Windows screenshot seems quite contrived, nobody in their right mind has a screen that looks like that. Why not show an example where someone is doing actual work, as in the other two? --CliffC 02:06, 5 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Performance of the user

This phrase seems to be used in quite a far stretched context - surely it should be performance of the computer, and productivity of the user? It just doesn't seem to make sense... Craighennessey 00:09, 21 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Use of the word Shell

This article's use of the word shell is quite strange to me. Isn't the proper word Windowmanager?

i think the word shell is being used to differentiate from the heavier 'environments' mentioned in the previous sentence. strictly speaking, fluxbox and icewm aren't window manager either since they have taskbars, menus &c

Too much focus on desktop computers

Computing minimalism has uses in computing niche devices. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Getonyourfeet (talk • contribs) 22:48, 15 February 2007 (UTC).[reply]

Screenshots of copyrighted software

I've removed the screenshot of Windows XP. Per Wikipedia's Wikipedia:Fair use policy, we cannot use a copyrighted image under fair-use terms if a free alternative is available. Given that there are Free images available which depict a non-minimalist user interface (KDE for example), there is no justification to use a Windows screenshot. -/- Warren 05:22, 19 February 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Terrible writing

This page needs SERIOUS cleanup ASAP - I don't think I've ever seen a worse Wiki page that has been allowed to exist for as long as this one. ravs 15:40, 26 April, 2007 (AEST)

Thank you for your suggestion. When you feel an article needs improvement, please feel free to make those changes. Wikipedia is a wiki, so anyone can edit almost any article by simply following the Edit this page link at the top. The Wikipedia community encourages you to be bold in updating pages. Don't worry too much about making honest mistakes — they're likely to be found and corrected quickly. If you're not sure how editing works, check out how to edit a page, or use the sandbox to try out your editing skills. New contributors are always welcome. You don't even need to log in (although there are many reasons why you might want to). --CliffC 02:04, 27 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

10mb is A LOT!

Since when did Windows users consider Windows Explorer to be bloated? The article cites its massive TEN MEGABYTES of memory use. Is this a joke?

I don't know. I checked task manager and found it out to be 26,000 KB, meaning 26 MB (if my calculations are right, which is debatable). If this is right, then Firefox is using up 80-some mBs. It's probably better to have an expert deal with it so I'm going to ask for a citation.

Shoot, wrong type of Windows Explorer. It still seems like around 20-some MBs. It does seem like a lot.... but I have 1 GB so I'm not worried.

Bah I have to be wrong. Anyways, the task manager says that it's using 26,000 K's of memory. It doesn't say what kind. --76.188.148.173 11:25, 28 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Yeah... Cleanup Needed

I looked at this and I saw that it claimed that keyboards and mice are being replaced by touchpads (and it sounds as if the author probably thinks speech recognition is also replacing those). Another thing, the "standard PC" next to the minimalist is a gaming PC and the example of a "typical desktop computer" looks like something out of a museum. Not to mention that it doesn't capitalize Microdrives despite the fact that it's a brand name and not a genericized trademark as its own article says within the first few sentences. I changed some of it, but this honestly looks like something written by a Middle School student. --76.188.148.173 11:15, 28 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

What is the point of all these images?

The comparative screenshots are good, but the comparison of the mac mini and a gaming computer is just silly. And what is the point of the gallery-like section? --Vince | Talk 08:25, 21 November 2007 (UTC)[reply]