Re: Suggestion: Rename X Terminal to just Terminal
 

But you'd have to shake the device three times (not four, not two) at the same time.

Re: Suggestion: Rename X Terminal to just Terminal
 

That's a hangin' offense around these parts. :D

Re: Suggestion: Rename X Terminal to just Terminal
 

Ack! So...many...metaphors...springing to mind. Must...resist...temptation...

Re: Suggestion: Rename X Terminal to just Terminal
 

As an end-user I'm definitely for the idea of taking away the icon on the default, and then having a very simple way to add it if you want it.

My reasoning behind this is two-fold:

1. I like my things to run nice and tidy, so if I'm never-ever going to use this icon I never want to see it.

2. Next device will be even more mainstream and I think removing the icon will save around 5-6 useless threads being started in the future (this is a rough esimate based on no real numbers at all... in fact I came up with the number by accidentally glancing over at a phone nr. so the exac number of useless threads prevent is probably highly debatable)

Re: Suggestion: Rename X Terminal to just Terminal
 

Exactly! This is a horrible idea. The trend to hide all advanced functionality does nothing to actually help beginners, and makes everything annoying for advanced users.

And I immediately spot several other problems:

Psychological: Having a "real" icon, it will feel like a thought-out, integrated part of the device. Without the icon, it'll feel like some kind of cheat code and afterthought. You'll never feel quite as confident using the terminal.

Advertising: Maemo has to fight Android and Palm for the attention of the nerd crowd. Just having a visible terminal icon makes a huge statement, for zero cost.

Existing users: You're already going to add DRM, and removing the terminal will just reinforce the idea that you're corrupting Maemo. The DRM is understandable since you have to be able to sell even the content of assho1es, but it's going to be an image hit for sure. Why make it worse?

Learning: don't you think the terminal will actually make some n00bs curious, rather than scare them? (In which case there's a nice friendly X in the top right corner)

Re: Suggestion: Rename X Terminal to just Terminal
 

Yeah, I'm an end user too. Let's start a list of things to tidy up. I'd like the following removed:

Getting started - completely useless to me
Simple calculator - Almost TI is SOOO much better
Ovi Store GUI - duplicates functionality from apt-get(8)
Backup - SUCKS compared to rsync(1)
facebook
Notes - Ed is the standard editor, not "Notes"(??)


Edit: IN FACT, why do I need any of these cluttered icons when I have a keyboard? I vote for the default screen to be all black, waiting for keyboard input. Then we could start programs by typing in their names, and you'd never have to see the names of programs you don't want to run. That would be the cleanest interface ever.

Re: Suggestion: Rename X Terminal to just Terminal
 

No. There have been so many steps backward from previous tablets, so it was very nice to have it out of the box as a step forward. It is already hidden on the second page.

Instead of shifting all the cost of making a system usable onto terminal users, why not allow easy deleting of icons by the user? There are quite a few I would like to delete or replace, such as an RPN calculator for the useless included calculator.

Re: Suggestion: Rename X Terminal to just Terminal
 

I think Maemo6 should have the X-Terminal out-of-the-box. keeping it hidden would remove the geekiness that I associate Nokia with when I see the N900. At the Summit, Jaaksi (VP Maemo), was upbeat about having the X-Terminal icon and shortcut "in case you want to show non-techies, whats so cool about linux"

If a non-techie, opens xterm, as is confused, nothing is lost. All users are smart enough to close an app they don't like or understand. The terminal opens up with regular user privileges anyways so the probability of a noob causing a catastrophe is insignificant. Better yet, the terminal might make a techie out of a noob.

The X-Terminal icon sets the N900 apart from other devices. I think Nokia should continue to showoff its geekiness with Maemo6 rather than being paranoid and try hard to hide it in the interest of 'end users'.

Re: Suggestion: Rename X Terminal to just Terminal
 

I totally agree!

Re: Suggestion: Rename X Terminal to just Terminal
 

"GNU/Linux Terminal" of course! :-)

I vote for keeping the icon. It's not like there aren't lots of other icons in the apps list that most people will never use and never find out what they do.

X-Terminal is the most used icon on my desktop and occupies a prominent spot. I use it more than Contacts, Phone, Calendar and Conversations, because I use the terminal to read my email.

If I had to type an awkward key combo to read my mail, that wouldn't be very convenient at all.