Bug 434548 - The Usability of connecting to a WIFI network
Summary: The Usability of connecting to a WIFI network
Status: RESOLVED WORKSFORME
Alias: None
Product: systemsettings
Classification: Applications
Component: kcm_networkmanagement (other bugs)
Version First Reported In: 5.21.2
Platform: Manjaro Linux
: NOR normal
Target Milestone: ---
Assignee: Jan Grulich
URL:
Keywords: usability
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2021-03-17 15:28 UTC by Ezike Ebuka
Modified: 2021-03-18 17:01 UTC (History)
3 users (show)

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Description Ezike Ebuka 2021-03-17 15:28:38 UTC
SUMMARY
The Usability of connecting to a WIFI network from the systemsettings 

Clicking the plus icon present an option to connect to WIFI,
it then brings up a dialog page, with overwhelming information like ssid, mode, bssid,clone mac address.  

Your average joe does not know what any of the above means, he either quits trying to connect to a wifi or searches the internet on his phone trying to know what the above acronyms/words means,

the second problem arises when the wifi is password protected, he has to figure out that its in the third tab that he has to enter his password, but now he presented with plethora of different security types, he either gives up or again google which is what and figure out which he is using. 

in the end this is not a pleasant experience.  

Possible solution.
When the wifi option is selected, show all the wifi within the range of the device, determine the wifi security from the selected network, then present the necessary option to connect to the network 

for personal network it can just be a password box for enterprise, the username box and other necessary options is added 



STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Go to the systemsettings 
2. connection 
3. click plus icon and select wifi 

OBSERVED RESULT
Unpleasant experience 

EXPECTED RESULT
Nice experience 

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Linux/KDE Plasma: 5.21.2
(available in About System)
KDE Plasma Version: 
KDE Frameworks Version: 5.79
Qt Version: 5.15.2
Comment 1 Justin Zobel 2021-03-18 04:09:11 UTC
This section is generally meant for advanced users I believe. For 99.999% of users, they will connect via the Network applet on their panel.
Comment 2 Nate Graham 2021-03-18 17:01:13 UTC
So don't do it from System Settings; this is an expert UI for users who want to customize every little random setting.

The "I'm a regular user who just wants to quickly connect to a wifi network" UI is the Networks applet in the System tray. Click on it to open the popup that lists wifi networks, then  click on the "Connect" button next to the wifi network you want to connect to, and then enter the password. Nice and simple. :)