I just wanted to correct the explanation of mockups: Default desktop (Ubuntu button and Launcher are together and on the left) (also corresponds to Alternative_2 with Launcher-on-left and Ubuntu button hovered): http://i51.tinypic.com/31355as.jpg Default desktop with Dash activated (also corresponds to Alternative_2 with Launcher-on-left and Ubuntu button clicked): http://i56.tinypic.com/2lw6m39.jpg
Alternative_1 (Ubuntu button and Launcher are together and at the bottom) (also corresponds to Alternative_2 with Launcher-at-bottom and Ubuntu button hovered): http://i52.tinypic.com/fkbfbr.jpg Alternative_1 with Dash activated (also corresponds to Alternative_2 with Launcher-at-bottom and Ubuntu button clicked): http://i55.tinypic.com/fyhe89.jpg Alternative_2 (Ubuntu button is shown alone when not hovered): http://i53.tinypic.com/24pl746.jpg Alternative_2 desktop showing dodge behavior: http://i53.tinypic.com/16c9y87.jpg Eylem On Sun, Aug 21, 2011 at 10:17 PM, Eylem <eylemk...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi everyone, > First of all, I wanna say that I love Unity and I'd like to send a big > KUDOS to all who have contributed to the project. > That said, I have to say that I find the recent change to move the > Ubuntu button to the launcher to be very much against the core of Unity, > as > 1) it makes the Dash far less accessible > 2) it makes the "Ubuntu" branding far less noticeable > 3) it still puts the maximized-windows-close-button too close to the > Ubuntu button (two buttons that do just opposite things) > 4) it still keeps the top left corner too cluttered to be ideally usable > or user-friendly (window controls, Ubuntu button, Dash, window title, > global menu) > > Now, the removal of the bfb from the top left corner in favor of > maximized window controls was a great idea as it ensures consistency. > Therefore, in order to address the above issues, I'd like to propose > something rather radical. I really do not want to step on any toes and I > hope you can keep an open mind as you read. > > With the current design where the Ubuntu button is on the Launcher and > not on the Top Panel, there is no real requirement to keep the Ubuntu > button still on the left corner. So, I say, why not make use of the > bottom left corner? > 1) As an initial pro-, most Linux distros and even Windows defaults to > bottom left, therefore it would not be difficult for users to get used > to a Ubuntu button at the bottom left corner. > 2) By leaving the window-related controls (buttons, title, menu) and > separating control centers, the desktop would become much easier to use. > OS launcher on the bottom-left, window controls on the top left, > indicators on the top right. > > In detail, I propose the following: > > 1) Place a Ubuntu button at the bottom left corner. Ubuntu button must > be visually different from all other launcher icons. > a) Default behavior: Ubuntu button and Launcher are united (as it is > now), and they "dodge active window". > i) Configurable to: "dodge all windows", "always on top", or > "autohide" > ii) In all modes, mouse pressure on the bottom left corner > reveals the Ubuntu button and the Launcher (see below for more details). > iii) In all modes, dragging an item that can be placed on the > Launcher reveals the Ubuntu button and the Launcher. > > b) Configurable to: It's a single button that "dodges active window" > by becoming smaller. In dodge mode, it disappears completely when it > reaches a pre-determine size (say, 24px); it disappears when the window > is maximized. > i) Configurable to: "dodge all windows" (same dodge behavior), > "always on top", or "autohide" > ii) In all modes, mouse pressure on the bottom left corner > reveals the Ubuntu button and the Launcher (see below for more details). > iii) In all modes, dragging an item that can be placed on the > Launcher reveals the Ubuntu button and the Launcher. > > 2) Place a TrashCan icon on the bottom right corner. It looks just like > other Launcher icons. > a) Default behavior: "Dodge active window" as above. > b) Configurable to: "dodge all windows" (same dodge behavior), > "always on top", or "autohide" > c) In all modes, mouse pressure on the bottom right corner reveals > the TrashCan icon > d) In all modes, dragging an item that can be put in the trash can > reveals the TrashCan icon > > 3) Hovering the Ubuntu button for a pre-determined length of time > activates (shows) the Launcher. > a) Default behavior: (Launcher-on-left) Launcher appears by coming > out from the top of the Ubuntu button and extends till the top panel on > the left screen edge. With Launcher-on-left, > i) Launcher icons are arranged from bottom to top. As they reach > the top panel, they're folded similar to current design but preferably > with a faded region where it connects to the top panel. > ii) Default behavior: The Launcher is activated on mouse pressure > to the left screen edge. > iii) Configurable to: Show only with Ubuntu button or on drag- > item. > > b) Configurable to: (Launcher-at-bottom) Launcher appears by coming > out from the right of the Ubuntu button and extends till the right > screen edge at the bottom of the screen. With Launcher-at-bottom, > i) The Launcher appears perfectly infused with the TrashCan icon, > but the TrashCan icon is not arranged with other icons. As Launcher > icons reach the TrashCan icon, they're folded similar to current design > but preferably with a faded region where it connects to the TrashCan > icon. > ii) Default behavior: The Launcher is activated on mouse pressure > to the bottom screen edge. > iii) Configurable to: Show only with Ubuntu button or on drag- > item. > > c) Workspace Switcher icon is the first icon on the Launcher and it's > never folded. > > 4) Clicking on the Ubuntu button activates the Dash with the same > visuals as current design, and conforming with the Launcher location. > > If implemented, this design would address the issues listed above, and > while doing so empower the users by giving them extended control on the > UI elements. Overall, I think this design would transform Unity desktop > to a very focused, powerful, nimble, and recognizable environment. > > To demonstrate a preliminary design, I made a few mockups: > > Default desktop (Ubuntu button and Launcher are together and on the > left): http://i51.tinypic.com/31355as.jpg > Default desktop with Dash activated (also corresponds to Alternative_2 > with Launcher-on-left and Ubuntu button hovered): > http://i56.tinypic.com/2lw6m39.jpg > > Alternative_1 (Ubuntu button and Launcher are together and at the > bottom): http://i52.tinypic.com/fkbfbr.jpg > Alternative_1 with Dash activated (also corresponds to Alternative_2 > with Launcher-at-bottom and Ubuntu button hovered): > http://i55.tinypic.com/fyhe89.jpg > > Alternative_2 (Ubuntu button is shown alone when not hovered): > http://i53.tinypic.com/24pl746.jpg > Alternative_2 desktop showing dodge behavior: > http://i53.tinypic.com/16c9y87.jpg > > To be honest, I like the Alternative_2 best but it's more unorthodox and > may receive more objections :) > > I'm hoping that this suggestion would see some serious consideration and > response. Thank you! > > Eylem > -- > This message was sent from Launchpad by > Eylem (https://launchpad.net/~eylemkoca) > using the "Contact this team" link on the Ayatana Discussion team page > (https://launchpad.net/~ayatana). > For more information see > https://help.launchpad.net/YourAccount/ContactingPeople > > _______________________________________________ > Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~ayatana > Post to : ayatana@lists.launchpad.net > Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~ayatana > More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp > _______________________________________________ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~ayatana Post to : ayatana@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~ayatana More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp