What Features Would Make a "Better" GUI?

Rudyatek asks: "When it comes to desktop OSs, there has been much talk about 'the end of the desktop', 'reinventing the GUI', etc. Usability has become increasingly important as we battle the ugly UIs of Windows and X11, and watch companies like Red Hat and Ximian try to improve them. But I'm curious if anyone has any clear ideas on what a truly 'better' UI would really be like? As a hobby OS programmer I have a great interest in alternative OS ideas, and this is one that I hear more complaining about than actual ideas. Anyone have ideas?"

Comments

Revolutionary ideas here.

[briglass]

MULTIPLE MOUSE POINTERS

That's right, I would like to see multiple mouse pointers. Society is stuck on the singular-mouse idea. We need to move beyond this 20th century dogma and start developing a multiple-mouse environment. If we can put a man on the moon, we can add a second mouse pointer to a GUI.

BUILT IN HOMELAND SECURITY ALERT SYSTEM

Are we at orange or yellow? I have no idea! But if my GUI incorporated the Terror Alert System into the desktop, I would always know precisely how scared I should be. Right now there is a 14-Click pathway to information about our current Alert Level. With integrated Homeland Security Alertware, the 14-Click barrier could be broken, and America would be that much more safer. If the next popular GUI doesn't feature Alertware, then the terrorists have already won.

SUPERFLAT 3D-THIN BUBBLE BUTTONS

In the beginning, all buttons and menus were flat. Then, Windows developed buttons and menus with a 3D appearance. Windows 95 took buttons and menus to a new level by incorporating the 3D-Thin look. While these new buttons appeared 3D, they had that appealing Thin look. Windows XP revolutionized Three Dimensional flatness by inventing the 3D-Thin bubble buttons. These button, although appealingly 3D, are so flat that they appear to be bubbles. I don't know about you, but this is already getting old. We need to add another dimension of flatness. I would like to see Superflat 3D-Thin Bubble buttons! Although Three Dimensionally thin and bubbly, these buttons would appear to be Superflat. I could get a lot more done, as a user, this way.