Make It Clear On The Product Page That Cosmic Is Not Ready For Use

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The Misleading Product Page

As a user, it's frustrating to find out that a product is not ready for use after investing hours of time and effort into it. This is exactly what happened with the Cosmic operating system developed by System76. The product page claims that Cosmic is "only a few months from release," which is misleading and can lead users to believe that it's ready for use. However, the reality is far from it.

The Frustrating Experience

The user who shared their experience with Cosmic had a clean installation on two-year-old laptop hardware. Despite giving it the best chance to work, they were unable to get the basics working as they should. The issues they encountered include:

  • Device connectivity issues: None of their devices connected, not even their mouse, which behaved like a dumb HID mouse when wired.
  • App crashes and CPU usage: Apps would close themselves when not in use and upon relaunch, they would eat up all of the CPU until a reboot instead of launching properly.
  • Boot errors and warnings: On boot of a clean install, they got half a dozen errors and warnings.
  • Login screen freezes: The login screen would freeze for a moment on every boot before turning black, giving more errors, then changing the display resolution.
  • System crashes: Sometimes on boot, they would just get their fans spinning up to the max and nothing on the screen, requiring a forced shutdown by holding the power button.

The Importance of Transparency

The user's experience highlights the importance of transparency on product pages. Statements like "stability is high" can give the wrong impression and lead users to believe that the product is ready for use. At the very least, the product page should make it clear that Cosmic is not ready for use as a daily driver.

A Call to Action

System76 should take steps to make it clear on the product page that Cosmic is not ready for use. This can be done by:

  • Removing misleading statements: Remove statements that give the wrong impression, such as "stability is high."
  • Adding a disclaimer: Add a disclaimer that clearly states that Cosmic is not ready for use as a daily driver.
  • Providing a clear timeline: Provide a clear timeline for when Cosmic will be ready for use.

Conclusion

The user's experience with Cosmic highlights the importance of transparency on product pages. System76 should take steps to make it clear on the product page that Cosmic is not ready for use. By doing so, they can avoid misleading users and provide a better experience for those who are interested in trying out the operating system.

Recommendations for System76

  • Improve the product page: Remove misleading statements and add a disclaimer that clearly states that Cosmic is not ready for use as a daily driver.
  • Provide a clear timeline: Provide a clear timeline for when Cosmic will be ready for use.
  • Communicate with users: Communicate with users who are interested in trying out Cosmic and provide them with a clear understanding of what to expect.

The Future of Cosmic

Despite the user's frustrating experience, they are willing to give Cosmic try once it's ready. This highlights the potential of the operating system and the importance of getting it right. By taking steps to improve the product page and provide a clear timeline, System76 can build trust with users and provide a better experience for those who are interested in trying out Cosmic.

Conclusion

Q: What is the Cosmic operating system?

A: Cosmic is a Linux-based operating system developed by System76. It's designed to provide a user-friendly and customizable experience for those who want to try out a Linux-based operating system.

Q: Why is the product page misleading users?

A: The product page claims that Cosmic is "only a few months from release," which can lead users to believe that it's ready for use. However, the reality is far from it. The user who shared their experience with Cosmic had a clean installation on two-year-old laptop hardware and was unable to get the basics working as they should.

Q: What are some of the issues users are experiencing with Cosmic?

A: Some of the issues users are experiencing with Cosmic include:

  • Device connectivity issues: None of their devices connect, not even their mouse, which behaves like a dumb HID mouse when wired.
  • App crashes and CPU usage: Apps would close themselves when not in use and upon relaunch, they would eat up all of the CPU until a reboot instead of launching properly.
  • Boot errors and warnings: On boot of a clean install, they got half a dozen errors and warnings.
  • Login screen freezes: The login screen would freeze for a moment on every boot before turning black, giving more errors, then changing the display resolution.
  • System crashes: Sometimes on boot, they would just get their fans spinning up to the max and nothing on the screen, requiring a forced shutdown by holding the power button.

Q: Why is transparency important on product pages?

A: Transparency is important on product pages because it helps users understand what to expect from a product. In the case of Cosmic, the product page should make it clear that it's not ready for use as a daily driver. This can be done by removing misleading statements, adding a disclaimer, and providing a clear timeline for when Cosmic will be ready for use.

Q: What can System76 do to improve the product page?

A: System76 can improve the product page by:

  • Removing misleading statements: Remove statements that give the wrong impression, such as "stability is high."
  • Adding a disclaimer: Add a disclaimer that clearly states that Cosmic is not ready for use as a daily driver.
  • Providing a clear timeline: Provide a clear timeline for when Cosmic will be ready for use.

Q: What is the future of Cosmic?

A: Despite the user's frustrating experience, they are willing to give Cosmic try once it's ready. This highlights the potential of the operating system and the importance of getting it right. By taking steps to improve the product page and provide a clear timeline, System76 can build trust with users and provide a better experience for those who are interested in trying out Cosmic.

Q: How can users get involved and provide feedback?

A: Users can get involved and provide feedback by:

  • Joining the community: Join the Cosmic community to stay up-to-date on the latest developments and provide feedback.
  • Reporting issues: Report any they encounter with Cosmic to the development team.
  • Providing feedback: Provide feedback on the product page and suggest improvements.

Q: What is the importance of user feedback?

A: User feedback is important because it helps developers understand what users want and need. By providing feedback, users can help shape the development of Cosmic and ensure that it meets their needs.

Q: How can users stay up-to-date on the latest developments?

A: Users can stay up-to-date on the latest developments by:

  • Following the blog: Follow the Cosmic blog to stay up-to-date on the latest news and developments.
  • Joining the community: Join the Cosmic community to stay informed and provide feedback.
  • Checking the product page: Check the product page regularly for updates and changes.