whoami
September 1, 2020, 2:02pm
1
What about a refreshment for icons:
i.e. ‘ethernet network connection’ and ‘time synchronization monitor’: icons with white background on black desktop theme =
themes / windows:
What about some clean and flat (state of the art) design refreshment?
Any ideas or suggestions to do some GUI cosmetics?
Anyone here who as done some customization?
1 Like
Qubes with i3 seems kinda popular.
Edit: I don’t imagine GUI/UX is a major concern with development team. Though there are people already discussing it elsewhere.
1 Like
whoami
September 2, 2020, 6:03am
4
AWESOME
Needless to say, that GUI is no major concern for Qubes but do not underestimate design IMO.
I am looking forward to this refreshment.
Thanks for sharing the links
deeplow
September 2, 2020, 8:08am
6
Some other github issues related to usability:
opened 08:13PM - 26 May 20 UTC
T: enhancement
C: core
ux
P: default
## The problem you're addressing (if any)
In #5840, many concerns around usabil… ity and user comprehension were raised with the existing RPC dialog windows. In the discussion points, Marek made clarifications around scope and security concerns, and so this and #5853 have been created to split solution opportunities across 2 separate efforts.
**Key concerns raised in #5840**
- Filenames and many device details cannot be mentioned in the dialog, as both wd introduce vulnerabilities
- Things more unique to each window than a single string of text that changes on a per-operation basis, would [require an API;](https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/5840#issuecomment-633145566) which is not a lot of work, but is scope-creep on top of addressing some more basic usability concerns with the existing data presented.
- Many such changes are opportune, however, and should be tracked in #5853
**This Issue is for**
Basic, no-API-needed things to the dialog.
**Where is the value to a user, and who might that user be?**
All users, technical and non-technical, like plain-language as often as possible, as long as important details are not obfuscated or hidden. For the latter, they can be de-prioritized or hidden through progressive disclosure, for view on an as-needed basis.
## Proposed Solution
- Replace `Operation Execution` with `Interqube Request` as the title-bar's text
- Replace icon with a TBD created icon that uses the `QuteQube` artwork, Tango icons set styling, and speaks to inter-VM sharing concepts.
- Alternately, use the "Magic" icon shown in some of the early mockups on #5840
- Eliminate line for "Operation," and include that information in the single line of descriptive text in the window.
- Eliminate white background & outline behind Source VM
- If a clear and concise plain-language string can be created for the Policy (such as `copy file to VM') use it—with the verbaitm policy language shown, below, in gray.
- Spreadsheet to capture plain-language strings for all policies, [here in this Spreadsheet.](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Zh3DV6bHl9hI0q__pblTjNB2Ps2hn6yLgCmSGWgq2yA/edit?usp=sharing)
- If no such plain-language string makes sense or is possible, show Policy string as shown in the `admin-vm` example, below.
*First Mockups*


opened 07:23PM - 22 May 20 UTC
T: enhancement
ux
P: default
C: app menu
_Child issue w/in ##5676_
**The problem you're addressing (if any)**
Two con… cerns:
1. There are currently too many menu and tray items, with a Qubes "Q" icon on them. That is likely to cause confusion for users. A simple/black diamond (or something similarly generic) should be used imho, if no better option is available, for a thing. Usability issues herein, spoken to in #5806
2. When the QuteQubes icons go into production, it would be great to have an icon from that "family" to invoke the "Create New VM" GUI from the menu.
**Describe the solution you'd like**
Something like this. TBD final exporations or artwork. Would be nice if this could ship with the QuteQube icons.

**Where is the value to a user, and who might that user be?**
Semiotics. :)
opened 07:05PM - 10 May 20 UTC
closed 04:43AM - 23 Apr 21 UTC
T: enhancement
R: not applicable
C: manager/widget
ux
P: default
...creating this issue, simply to track all things having to do with 2020 update… s to the tray's default appearance, in a single Epic. :)
opened 09:25PM - 21 Feb 20 UTC
T: enhancement
C: manager/widget
ux
P: default
## Problem
Qube Manager has multiple usability issues.
## Solution
What us… er needs are and how this tool can better suit them—or, a different tool altogether—needs to be explored in user research. Then, a solution needs to be designed, iterated upon, tested with users, iterated upon further, and finally implemented. Implementation funding exists, but does not yet exist for the UX design and research work necessary to craft the best possible solution.
TL;DR, get this funded and happening. This issue will be used to track progress on the design and user research, once funding comes through (and to whatever extent possible, sketches that may be done by the community or before funding is approved) :)
## Related Issues
#5678, #1870 and [related project](https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/projects/3)
opened 01:09AM - 21 Feb 20 UTC
closed 06:25AM - 11 Jul 21 UTC
T: enhancement
C: artwork
C: manager/widget
release notes
ux
P: default
C: app menu
## Problem
The lock semiotic in the context of a UI typically means that an ite… m is restricted from being modified. In Qubes, it is extremely confusing seeing it used to denote containers, and containers of different security, permanence, and derivation properties. The ecosystem of VMs within Qubes should have their own family of icons, within which Template, Service, Disposable, and App qubes are more clearly distinguished. Also, everyone liked the cute-cube, so—here we are!
## Solution
Implement cute-cube icons across GUI components that currently show VMs with a colored padlock. Note, that dom0 is shown w/ an icon in the below schema—it's just always shown at 60% alpha. The below also shows a magenta icon, which I'm not including in the deliverables as that does not yet exist as an optional qube color.

Comments for iteration between delivered art, and screenshots of what they look like in various components w/in a build. My guess is that some iteration will be needed... :D
And here’s another discussion on a similar topic:
I love Qubes and what we have is excellent already! But you and I and many others in the community are the few privileged ones who happen to be technically inclined. But many others also need this level of secuity (probably even more than us ), but unfortunately can’t because they find obstacles in the usage that may prevent them from doing their work properly on Qubes (today). So I think usable security will be key to making this system more secure overall.
Yes, the Qubes team is small. And I …
deeplow
September 2, 2020, 8:11am
7
and lastly @whoami , there is is also this XFCE customization thread:
Lets start a DOM0 XCFE Visual Customization Thread
We all know the security risks. But we also all want to address the customization options with a FAQ.
whoami
September 3, 2020, 11:59am
8
Thanks for all the links this looks very promising to me.
Do you already have a release date for 4.1?
deeplow
September 3, 2020, 12:28pm
9
You’re welcome!
I’m not sure there is a release date yet, but I think you can check the progress towards it here .
whoami
August 3, 2021, 1:26pm
10
Could someone point me to the demo movies which were in that GUI survey? Thanks
@whoami
Bessie:
Jackie:
And here is Valentina, the outcome of the survey.
1 Like
whoami
August 5, 2022, 3:03pm
12
I would appreciate if someone could share a status summary of this new GUI project. Thanks
You can check the progress here:
That’s the task tracking view of the project.
whoami
August 5, 2022, 7:32pm
14
Thanks, but I cannot estimate the dev progress and status since I cannot see the dev effort / time for all issue.
Any time estimation when it will be available? This year, next year…
It seems it will be available on Qubes 4.2 . I guess nobody knows when it can be ready, just like it was with 4.1 and 4.0. But you can see the progress in the link.
1 Like
whoami
August 8, 2022, 4:22pm
16
I need to increase my donations.
… I hope this will somehow speed up the process a bit
Hopefully, at least the motivation
1 Like