[Marketing] [IAEP] [Sugar-devel] [SoaS] Request for Artwork: Boot Screen

[Sean DALY]

Actually the logo color linked to a version idea was in my long mail
the other day about communicating the version :-)

I too think 2 changes a year will give us time to cycle through the
twelve variants.

To make that work, the actual place where the version number is
communicated (Control Panel / About my computer) would need to have
the matching color Sugar Labs (not just Sugar) logo.

I like this progress bar boot screen because:

* ultrasimple, unobtrusive, fits perfectly with Sugar HIG
* bar is universally easy to understand, no possibility of confusion
with graphic elements.
* keeping logo around that long=strong branding, which is vital for
Sugar to be recognized by name rather than just "the system" running
on XOs, netbooks, etc.

I miss the iconic ring treatment though.

And, no matter how clean we would like it to be, we still need to
address the questions of school/sponsor co-branding (if they have a
logo, they won't feel like jst putting their name in grey) and distro
co-branding.

Perhaps we could solve those problems by putting them in the "About my
computer" page as well? Awful as far as co-branding goes (partners
would not be happy), but will keep boot minimalist and functional.

For a shining example of how more-is-less packaging is ruinous, may I
direct your attention to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUXnJraKM3k

Sean


On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 9:44 PM, Gary C Martin <gary at garycmartin.com> wrote:
> On 4 Jun 2009, at 16:35, Gary C Martin wrote:
>
>> On 4 Jun 2009, at 15:45, Sean DALY wrote:
>>
>>> Yes that would be very helpful I think
>>
>> I was just going to start tinkering again, I'll make an animated
>> version of Eben's XO and progress-bar for evaluation.
>
> Just uploaded an animated version showing Eben's boot with progress bar
> treatment:
>
>
>  http://wiki.sugarlabs.org/go/Image:XO-sugar-boot-with-progress-bar.gif
>
> FWIW: +1 on Eben's suggestion for changing the colour of the Sugar logo for
> each major new Sugar release. It nicely avoids what looks like jumping
> through lot's of technical burning hoops of fire, trying to set up a boot
> anim that dynamically changes to match the owners own colours (nice idea but
> I think a big ask at this point in time).
>
> FWIW2: Just incase any one was wondering, the colour dot versions were based
> on the 1-12 official Sugar Logo treatment colour pairs, i.e definitely not
> not random :-)
>
> Regards,
> --Gary
>
>>> If we can reach consensus by tomorrow and finish the actual PNG frames
>>> over the weekend we will meet the deadline
>>>
>>> but, we need a volunteer to do the frames (unless Gary what you have
>>> is nearly ready; my stuff is cut/pasted mockup no color control etc)
>>
>> Sure, getting a series of PNGs from any of my mock-ups is just a "save
>> for web" away.
>>
>> Regards,
>> --Gary
>>
>>> thanks
>>>
>>> Sean
>>>
>>>
>>> On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 4:40 PM, Christian Marc Schmidt
>>> <christianmarc at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I agree with Eben's points below...
>>>>
>>>> Maybe it would help if one of us mocked up the alternative he is
>>>> describing?
>>>>
>>>> Christian
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Jun 4, 2009, at 10:35 AM, Eben Eliason <eben.eliason at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 10:31 AM, Eben Eliason <eben.eliason at gmail.com
>>>>>>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 7:24 AM, Sean DALY <sdaly.be at gmail.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> http://wiki.sugarlabs.org/go/Marketing_Team/Boot_Logo
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Christian - I myself prefer the "rays" to dots which I feel too
>>>>>>> closely resemble networks in the Neighborhood view, confusion is
>>>>>>> possible (networks being connected to at startup?)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Fred - I'm willing to try that sunrise metaphor, tonight if I can
>>>>>>> (travelling today)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Re splash page with logo: in my next mockup I'll leave off the
>>>>>>> example
>>>>>>> school logo.and move that frame to the end. It might be better to
>>>>>>> "reserve" a frame for customizable logo or message, before or
>>>>>>> after
>>>>>>> the Sugar spash page
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Yes, in that mockup the first screen is kind of overwhelming with
>>>>>> several logos and a few pieces of textual information. At the same
>>>>>> time, we tried very hard to eliminate the slideshow effect that
>>>>>> feels
>>>>>> (well, is) like a bunch of marketing material that detracts from
>>>>>> the
>>>>>> UI.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I think the Sugar logo should stand alone, so it reads
>>>>>> powerfully, and
>>>>>> then be replaced in short order by the XO. Perhaps we could
>>>>>> entertain
>>>>>> a text only solution to identifying the school, in gray beneath the
>>>>>> sugar logo. Thoughts?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Version info: In fact I feel strongly about showing version
>>>>>>> information... or its corollary, making it easy to find. Teachers,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I think it's more important that we make it easy to find in the UI.
>>>>>> Kids won't reboot that often, and it would be silly to reboot
>>>>>> just to
>>>>>> find that info.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> parents, admins, G1G1 donors unfamiliar with Sugar will not have
>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>> foggiest idea how to hunt down version information (Learners
>>>>>>> might not
>>>>>>> have trouble finding it - they will explore their machines ad
>>>>>>> infinitum - but they can't be expected to know about
>>>>>>> versioning). We
>>>>>>> are about to embark on hundreds of thousands of XO-1.5s running
>>>>>>> v0..84
>>>>>>> which will coexist with a huge installed base of v0.82 (and many
>>>>>>> earlier); SoaS with its simplified numbering scheme will (we
>>>>>>> hope) sow
>>>>>>> the seeds for preinstalled Sugar in distributions for education
>>>>>>> projects. We may be deploying v0.86 at the end of the year...
>>>>>>> aside
>>>>>>> from how we manage the Activity compatibility matrix, we need to
>>>>>>> make
>>>>>>> such info *extremely* easy to track down for someone interested in
>>>>>>> checking if Sugar + Activities are "up-to-date". Our strategy for
>>>>>>> teacher buy-in is star marketing on Activities (see press
>>>>>>> releases);
>>>>>>> making Activity installation/upgrade simple this summer is part of
>>>>>>> what we need to do to make SoaS possible in the classroom. Helping
>>>>>>> users understand what version they have (of Sugar, of each
>>>>>>> Activity)
>>>>>>> is a key aspect of that.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> I agree that it's unpleasant to see numbers at boot time
>>>>>>> (especially a
>>>>>>> datestamped snapshot number). Why don't we borrow an idea from
>>>>>>> Apple?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> We basically have this already. We ust happen to have an XO in the
>>>>>> center of the screen, instead of an apple icon in the upper left.
>>>>>> The
>>>>>> info is actually in the "About my XO" section of the settings,
>>>>>> which
>>>>>> might be one step too far. We could go back to an earlier design
>>>>>> for
>>>>>> the XO menu and have a direct "About my XO" menu item which jumps
>>>>>> directly to the correct settings panel.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> We could also separate the "About my XO" panel from settings,
>>>>>> removing
>>>>>> it from the settings panel completely and showing it as it's own
>>>>>> modal
>>>>>> dialog accessible via an "About my XO" menu item.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I would be fine with either approach.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> They have a tiny apple icon in the upper-left corner of the
>>>>>>> screen;
>>>>>>> clicking on it opens a window with the processor, RAM and OSX
>>>>>>> version
>>>>>>> number. In addition to the "About my computer" section in the
>>>>>>> Control
>>>>>>> Panel, perhaps we could show the version in the Frame? The
>>>>>>> bottom bar
>>>>>>> has room I think.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> There's no need to expose this information directly. It will only
>>>>>> be
>>>>>> needed on occasion, and the Frame is designed for the information
>>>>>> you
>>>>>> want to carry with you all the time.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> When we start to get consolidated feedback, we will know if
>>>>>>> difficult-to-find version info is a problem for Sugar / Activity
>>>>>>> updaters or not. I feel sure it is and showing the version in the
>>>>>>> Frame (the one-glance status communicator) seems to me a good
>>>>>>> approach
>>>>>>> which would let us skip info in the splash screen.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Nota: my idea would be for each version to change the Sugar logo
>>>>>>> color
>>>>>>> too... potentially allowing troubleshooters to ask "what color
>>>>>>> is the
>>>>>>> Sugar logo?" and match that to the version number.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I would much rather see the logo change colors with each boot, but
>>>>>
>>>>> I meant to take this back before sending, and forgot to. I actually
>>>>> think changing the colors with each release is a pretty awesome
>>>>> idea.
>>>>>
>>>>> Eben
>>>>>
>>>>>> changing with each release is a pretty cool idea. I would support
>>>>>> that. I think there are enough of combinations to make "wrapping
>>>>>> around" a non-issue, as long as we only change the color for major
>>>>>> releases (2 per year, on average).
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Finally, regarding the animation itself: I Think the gray dots are
>>>>>> still the best option, and the clearest. They fit the style, but
>>>>>> won't
>>>>>> be confused with APs. If we can in any way manage it, coloring
>>>>>> the XO
>>>>>> in the child's chosen colors is really the way that color should be
>>>>>> introduced. The colored dots seem to undermine the importance of
>>>>>> that
>>>>>> metaphor, for me. Everywhere else in the UI, color relates to
>>>>>> identity; has meaning. (All the more reason to change the sugar
>>>>>> logo
>>>>>> colors with each release!) These randomly colored dots just don't
>>>>>> seem
>>>>>> fit within that concept.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Also, if no "dot" solution seems to gain consensus, we could go
>>>>>> back
>>>>>> to a simple progress bar, which is perhaps less interesting, but
>>>>>> simple and clean and matches the UI.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Eben
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> thanks
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Sean
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 5:00 AM, Frederick Grose <fgrose at gmail.com>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Please indulge me to make another pitch for the 'sunrise'
>>>>>>>> metaphor for
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> growing ring.
>>>>>>>> Using the same color locations, the ring would build from sunrise
>>>>>>>> orange to
>>>>>>>> midday yellow to afternoon greens and blues to dusky red-violets
>>>>>>>> (perhaps
>>>>>>>> the darker one last).  These are just common earth metaphors
>>>>>>>> that might
>>>>>>>> come
>>>>>>>> to mind as children worldwide--who may have never seen a analog
>>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>>> digital
>>>>>>>> clock--anticipate what may be waiting for them in their day
>>>>>>>> ahead of
>>>>>>>> them.
>>>>>>>> The ring would also build from one foot, and end symmetrically
>>>>>>>> on the
>>>>>>>> other--a growth surrounding the nascent learner like a cover--a
>>>>>>>> home--a
>>>>>>>> safe
>>>>>>>> shelter for learning or a shower of celestial opportunities.
>>>>>>>> "Will I
>>>>>>>> grow
>>>>>>>> too like the graphic is suggesting?"
>>>>>>>> OK, these are just potential metaphors...
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 10:17 PM, Frederick Grose <fgrose at gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I like that a lot.
>>>>>>>>> I'm with others on leaving the version number as well to the
>>>>>>>>> 'About my
>>>>>>>>> Computer' panel. (It can be referenced and then read as needed
>>>>>>>>> after
>>>>>>>>> booting, whereas the vanishing boot image just makes me
>>>>>>>>> nervous about
>>>>>>>>> writing down or memorizing a long number.)
>>>>>>>>> The Green Hornet, would of course only appear on a 'Graphic
>>>>>>>>> guidelines'
>>>>>>>>> page for deployments and packagers.
>>>>>>>>> I suggest you try this sequence:
>>>>>>>>> 1. a short, blank white field (infinite potential)
>>>>>>>>> 2. the small xo figure (just possibly me in a big universe)
>>>>>>>>> 3. the building ring and figure (what might be building for
>>>>>>>>> me? Will I
>>>>>>>>> grow too as suggested?)
>>>>>>>>> 4. the Sugar, and optional custom graphic,  pausing, usually a
>>>>>>>>> machine-dependent variable time, allowing for reading (fixing
>>>>>>>>> the name
>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>> this tool and those who built it for me)         Do we want a
>>>>>>>>> gray
>>>>>>>>> Sugar
>>>>>>>>> Labs opposite the fedora remix?
>>>>>>>>> (5. the living, playable, ready-to-open door to Learning--the
>>>>>>>>> Sugar
>>>>>>>>> Home
>>>>>>>>> view.)
>>>>>>>>> Thanks everyone!       --Fred
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Wed, Jun 3, 2009 at 8:50 PM, Sean DALY <sdaly.be at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Fred - I have uploaded a new variant to the wiki:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> http://wiki.sugarlabs.org/go/Marketing_Team/Boot_Logo#Eleven_Color_Ray_Variant.2C_Growing_XO_Avatar.2C_No_Prior_Outlines.2C_Starts_With_Logo_Splash_Page
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On Tue, Jun 2, 2009 at 4:37 AM, Frederick Grose <fgrose at gmail.com
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> I mostly like it.  Seems to be close to what we want for now.
>>>>>>>>>>> Please consider these adjustments:
>>>>>>>>>>> 1.  No fine print (leave that for the 'About my Computer"
>>>>>>>>>>> panel).
>>>>>>>>>>> 2.  Scale the custom school graphic example (Green Hornet)
>>>>>>>>>>> to fit
>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>>>>>> elements, leave out the fine print.
>>>>>>>>>>> 3.  Let the rays grow incrementally to complete the ring (no
>>>>>>>>>>> unfilled
>>>>>>>>>>> place
>>>>>>>>>>> holders).  I feel more anticipation and suspense from the ring
>>>>>>>>>>> growing
>>>>>>>>>>> without the preview, and more satisfaction of seeing the
>>>>>>>>>>> completed
>>>>>>>>>>> color
>>>>>>>>>>> burst.
>>>>>>>>>>>      Thank you!        --Fred
>>>>>>>>>>> On Mon, Jun 1, 2009 at 9:33 PM, Sean DALY <sdaly.be at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Here's the second mockup:
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> http://wiki.sugarlabs.org/go/Marketing_Team/Boot_Logo#Eleven_Color_Ray_Variant.2C_Growing_XO_Avatar.2C_Starts_With_Logo_Splash_Page
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> This version includes a logo/copyright splash page and a
>>>>>>>>>>>> "growing"
>>>>>>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>>>>>>> "approaching" XO avatar.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Comments welcome please.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> thanks
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Sean
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>>> Marketing mailing list
>>>>>>>>>>> Marketing at lists.sugarlabs.org
>>>>>>>>>>> http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/marketing
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>>> Marketing mailing list
>>>>>>>> Marketing at lists.sugarlabs.org
>>>>>>>> http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/marketing
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> IAEP -- It's An Education Project (not a laptop project!)
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>
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