Published at LXer:

Many Linux users who have been GNOME fans for years find themselves in asudden quandary. GNOME 3.0 has completely abandoned the desktop experiencewe've come to love during the years. That's not to say change is bad,it's just that many folks (even Linus Torvalds) don't really wantto change.

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With Frippery extension Gnome 3 works quite well

I'm one of those people who make my living with my computer. Not as a programmer or an administrator though I have programmed on and off for 40 years. I also do presently administer 6 computers on a network for a home business. Small potatoes for most of you but still a chore for me.

But at my day job I use word processors, graphics programs, spreadsheets and many other productivity software. This new OS has tripled the amount of time it takes for me to do anything and prevents me from doing things I used to be able to do. It is absolutely horrible. And when working for my employer, I don't have the time to fiddle endlessly with my computer to try to get it to function. I have deadlines.

In fact I may end up going back to Windows because at least I can:

1. Right click and get a menu of options.
2. Have multiple programs open at once and cut and paste among them.
3. Put program and document shortcuts on my desktop easily.
4. Have program icons on a task bar that I can get to with one click.
5. Control the appearance of my desktop (ALL of it not just the background).
6. Administer any aspect of the network with a GUI interface quickly and easily.
7. Set my printer options. I can add a printer but nowhere could I find a GUI to set the printer options. When I click on "printers" under "system" controls I expect to be able to do everything related to printers not just install one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those were just the main issues. There are lots of other time-wasting annoyances. Apparently the people, who hate users that don't use the command line, have won the day. For years LINUX was getting easier to use for those of us who do not want to waste our lives in front of the computer trying to remember obscure and arcane commands that we use 4 times a year, which if you mistype you have to do over (my personal record is eighteen times!). Now, with Gnome 3 you again have to do everything on the command line because all the system control GUIs are gone (at least the useful ones).

Why do programmers think that if you don't use the command line you must be some ignorant fool that must be protected by removing GUI administration tools. I guarantee you that I have forgotten more about computers than many of you will ever know. I built my first computer in 1973, and the way I programmed computers at work back then was with a teletype tape or toggle switches. But I use the GUI now because I am halfblind and type twelve words per minute. Its ten time faster to use a GUI and just click around! But now its gone altogether. Its deja-vu all over again. When will the toggle switches be back?

I know I am not alone in the way I use my computer. Every system administrator at work (8000 employees), including the LINUX ones, use GUI interfaces when they are available. Because GUIs are faster and easier. These guys have to clear so many support tickets an hour. They can't afford to use the command line. Do those people have to be protected from themselves?

LINUX was doing so good. I was using Mint 10 and it was wonderfull and I thought now I can finally be rid of Microsoft. Looks like I will have to call Bill and apologize and hope he will take me back!

This Gnome 3 toy is for people who play. For adults who actually have to work, Gnome 3 is a disaster. Linus called it correctly. Gnome 3 could be the end of LINUX on the desktop unless one of the other desktops steps up to the plate with Gnome 2 functionality.

Now where did I put that Windows disk.....