Who sees face doesn't see heart – Design in Linux distros

Today's post is one where I give my opinion or a particular point of view on a specific subject. I was creating a cover for an article here on the blog, and the foul popular saying came to mind. Who sees face does not see heart. But can this be applied to Linux and its various distributions?

design-ux-visual-app-sfotware-free-open-source-linux-ubuntu-mint-deepin-fedora-endless-manjaro-cinnamon-kde-gnome-dde-xfce-mate-mx Inevitably what attracts the fish to the hook is the bait, yet the "poor victim" glimpses the juicy meal from afar, and dies in the mouth. Let's say that in a way the same happens with the average user. I know Linux has many uses and dominates sectors such as servers, IoT, etc. I will focus on home use, the common user and your desktop / laptop.

Buniteza and that's it (I know the word is wrong)

In today's world, projects like Diolinux, The IT Guy and even OSystematic, point out that more marketing is lacking in Linux, focused on the home user. Another point is the care of the details and visual appeal. Currently Linux distributions maintain a reasonable design consistency, and some enchant at first glance. However, others turn away with their backward-looking Windows 95 look. Don't get me wrong, but I'm sorry for anyone who thinks it's beautiful.

Systems with an attractive look, even if not to my liking, are primarily the gateway to users. Windows 10, macOS, Fedora, Elementary OS, Deepin, Endless OS, and more. They have characteristics and logic in their visual composition, something that not every system that claims to be a viable option for the average user has. However, the appearance aspect is important. After all, he is what attracts the masses.

I don't know about you, but I've been through situations where a system or program was just beautiful, while a fairy better supplied what it was meant to do. Even in the present, there are many ugly, horrible distros and programs that do their job. Some are not at all intuitive, but with perseverance they are tame.

Being attractive gets bigger numbers initially, but keeping that audience is not guaranteed. While ugly systems and programs can be underestimated and never experienced by the masses. Usually those who use such a solution either knew it (perhaps received a referral) or were one of the few who met the challenge.

I'm ugly, but I deliver the combined

As I mentioned earlier, being attractive does not guarantee or retain a user in question. Obviously, many will continue only for appearances, I confess that I have done this many times (having OCD not easy), but until when?

A while ago I presented some distributions to clients, I emphasized some that did not have such an attractive design, but the look speaks louder. Except that I'm stubborn, I persisted a little longer and they ended up trying to test what I pointed out fervently. Some stayed, others came back and tested the most attractive option, but I could see that even the ugliest handing over the combination, the handsome most often won.

Time and again the solutions were more effective, but the design speaks louder. It is curious to follow the reaction and see that in fact, we are a kind attracted by the look. Using beauty-free software and systems is a good design concept, not a rule, and the less knowledge or expertise a person has in a given area, the beauty will stand out, for whoever sees face doesn't see the heart.

Conclusion

A community made up of more programmers than designers, great software is out there, yet its look or planning is not intended to be a complete layperson. This decreases the range, limiting it to a specific profile, although many people could be attracted, but by not calling that attention (whether in a simple logo, icon or even visual) lose the chance to grow even more.

We need more designers, more marketing, more developers focused on simplicity and efficiency. I am glad that many projects think so, and create beautiful and extremely functional solutions. The Linux world, after many years, finally has distributions and professionals that besides donating their time and effort, awoke that knowing how to sell attracts more eyes.

Tell us in the comments if you have had any experience similar to this, or if you were surprised by a software or system (even if it is not attractive). Also talk about positive experiences, as I know you have a lot of beautiful and efficient software.

By the next post, I'm happy with life for using beautiful and functional apps, SYSTEMATICALLY!

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