Re: [Ayatana] A rather radical Unity design idea with mockups
Hi Eylem, it would be interesting if you could try a slight variation of the first mockup: the Ubuntu button at the bottom-left (like it already is) but the application launchers aligned on top (like they are in the default Unity layout). Right now, the mockup feels somewhat unbalanced with the large 'black' space directly below the panel. Moving the icons upwards would fix that. The second mockup really doesn't work very well on my laptop. It has a 1366x768 monitor and vertical space is a preciously scarce resource. Losing ~60 pixels of screen estate in toolbars is not really acceptable (this is why the left-sided placement of the Unity launcher is great). ___ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~ayatana Post to : ayatana@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~ayatana More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
Re: [Ayatana] A rather radical Unity design idea with mockups
Hi James, I don't think the orientation of English language is a valid reason to keep the Ubuntu button on the top left. I think the focus should be about assigning functional attribute to each screen corner so the user can aim to a particular corner with a certain purpose. System related functions and indicators are on the top right, window-control related functions on the top left , and with my proposal, center of new application launch is on the bottom left. This way, many other visual assistance can be implemented. Think for example about enlarging window control buttons (like an overlay) as the user aims at top left, which would make Ubuntu much more touch-friendly. Eylem On Sun, Aug 21, 2011 at 11:51 PM, James Jenner james.g.jen...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Eylem, From past discussions I've seen on here I have received the impression that the reasoning for the focus on the top left corner is based on the common left to right, top to bottom reading of most western countries. This is the explanation I saw in regards to moving the window controls from the top right to the top left and from memory this was the reasoning for having the launcher at the top left corner. I don't know if this was extended to the placement of the panel on the left (though one could view it in these terms). I'm at a loss to explain how this benefits those who read Hebrew, Arabic, Syriac and other languages. However considering the prevalence of English as a second language and how western influence is affecting Chinese, one could consider left to right, top to bottom to be the most commonly used form of reading overall. I suspect this may be their thinking (if someone knows of a paper or publication that explains their reasoning, then I would love to read it). That said I do agree that I have some concern about the window controls being directly below launch button as per Ubuntu 11.10 alpha 3. I think that the launch button (as described in prior posts) being a separate button at the top of the panel and in the panel makes a lot more sense than on the bar itself. If you were to change your first image such that the bar reads from top to bottom instead of bottom to top, then I don't see any issues with window controls being near the launcher. In your first example the controls will be always near the panel, just not near the launcher. One could argue that if you want the window controls away from the side panel, then move the window controls back to the right hand side. That said I have no particular opinion on where they should be, both the window controls and the button for the launcher. I do tend to agree with the logic of top right is natural from a reading point of view, but it's all about what your used to. Ex windows users will be used to the bottom left, OSX users to the tray at the bottom. People seem to forget that once memory muscle is developed, it doesn't matter where it is. The Qwerty keyboard is a good example of this. Personally I found the window controls on the left very disconcerting initially, but now I don't even think about it (memory muscle has been developed). And this is despite the fact that I use Win XP at work and Ubuntu at home. Same applies to the application menu, screen size considerations out of the way, I'm used to it and don't find it that annoying (though the hidden application menu is still irritating, to me this goes against some HCI principles, but it's arguable either way). Regards, James ___ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~ayatana Post to : ayatana@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~ayatana More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
Re: [Ayatana] A rather radical Unity design idea with mockups
Hi Stefanos, I know the orientation of icons seem off at first sight but if you think about it in action, you would wanna see the icons close to your mouse when you aimed at bottom left to activate the Launcher. Otherwise it would be too much mouse motion and it would not fully serve the purpose of making bottom left the center of launching new applications. I think by second mockup you're referring to Launcher-at-bottom. But it is just an optional, user-configurable layout. The default is Launcher-on-left. But think about turning your screen (or tablet) sideways... it's good to have options ;) Better thing would be an option called place the Launcher on the short edge On Mon, Aug 22, 2011 at 5:00 AM, Stefanos A. stapos...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Eylem, it would be interesting if you could try a slight variation of the first mockup: the Ubuntu button at the bottom-left (like it already is) but the application launchers aligned on top (like they are in the default Unity layout). Right now, the mockup feels somewhat unbalanced with the large 'black' space directly below the panel. Moving the icons upwards would fix that. The second mockup really doesn't work very well on my laptop. It has a 1366x768 monitor and vertical space is a preciously scarce resource. Losing ~60 pixels of screen estate in toolbars is not really acceptable (this is why the left-sided placement of the Unity launcher is great). ___ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~ayatana Post to : ayatana@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~ayatana More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
Re: [Ayatana] A rather radical Unity design idea with mockups
Alternatively, I'd support integrating all the functionality of the Oneiric Device Menu into the Dash, and just let the user determine whether to place the BFB on the right or left (or top or bottom, in a world without any dock) end of the panel. When (if) the Dash reaches its full potential, some other existing components will be unneeded. On 08/21/2011 10:17 PM, Eylem 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
Re: [Ayatana] A rather radical Unity design idea with mockups
I'm pretty sure a lot of Unity is 'mirrored' in locales with right to left languages. Anyone feel free to correct me though. Date: Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:51:15 +1000 From: james.g.jen...@gmail.com To: eylemk...@gmail.com CC: ayatana@lists.launchpad.net Subject: Re: [Ayatana] A rather radical Unity design idea with mockups Hi Eylem, From past discussions I've seen on here I have received the impression that the reasoning for the focus on the top left corner is based on the common left to right, top to bottom reading of most western countries. This is the explanation I saw in regards to moving the window controls from the top right to the top left and from memory this was the reasoning for having the launcher at the top left corner. I don't know if this was extended to the placement of the panel on the left (though one could view it in these terms). I'm at a loss to explain how this benefits those who read Hebrew, Arabic, Syriac and other languages. However considering the prevalence of English as a second language and how western influence is affecting Chinese, one could consider left to right, top to bottom to be the most commonly used form of reading overall. I suspect this may be their thinking (if someone knows of a paper or publication that explains their reasoning, then I would love to read it). That said I do agree that I have some concern about the window controls being directly below launch button as per Ubuntu 11.10 alpha 3. I think that the launch button (as described in prior posts) being a separate button at the top of the panel and in the panel makes a lot more sense than on the bar itself. If you were to change your first image such that the bar reads from top to bottom instead of bottom to top, then I don't see any issues with window controls being near the launcher. In your first example the controls will be always near the panel, just not near the launcher. One could argue that if you want the window controls away from the side panel, then move the window controls back to the right hand side. That said I have no particular opinion on where they should be, both the window controls and the button for the launcher. I do tend to agree with the logic of top right is natural from a reading point of view, but it's all about what your used to. Ex windows users will be used to the bottom left, OSX users to the tray at the bottom. People seem to forget that once memory muscle is developed, it doesn't matter where it is. The Qwerty keyboard is a good example of this. Personally I found the window controls on the left very disconcerting initially, but now I don't even think about it (memory muscle has been developed). And this is despite the fact that I use Win XP at work and Ubuntu at home. Same applies to the application menu, screen size considerations out of the way, I'm used to it and don't find it that annoying (though the hidden application menu is still irritating, to me this goes against some HCI principles, but it's arguable either way). Regards, James ___ 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
Re: [Ayatana] A rather radical Unity design idea with mockups
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 ___ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~ayatana Post to : ayatana@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~ayatana More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
Re: [Ayatana] A rather radical Unity design idea with mockups
Hi Eylem, From past discussions I've seen on here I have received the impression that the reasoning for the focus on the top left corner is based on the common left to right, top to bottom reading of most western countries. This is the explanation I saw in regards to moving the window controls from the top right to the top left and from memory this was the reasoning for having the launcher at the top left corner. I don't know if this was extended to the placement of the panel on the left (though one could view it in these terms). I'm at a loss to explain how this benefits those who read Hebrew, Arabic, Syriac and other languages. However considering the prevalence of English as a second language and how western influence is affecting Chinese, one could consider left to right, top to bottom to be the most commonly used form of reading overall. I suspect this may be their thinking (if someone knows of a paper or publication that explains their reasoning, then I would love to read it). That said I do agree that I have some concern about the window controls being directly below launch button as per Ubuntu 11.10 alpha 3. I think that the launch button (as described in prior posts) being a separate button at the top of the panel and in the panel makes a lot more sense than on the bar itself. If you were to change your first image such that the bar reads from top to bottom instead of bottom to top, then I don't see any issues with window controls being near the launcher. In your first example the controls will be always near the panel, just not near the launcher. One could argue that if you want the window controls away from the side panel, then move the window controls back to the right hand side. That said I have no particular opinion on where they should be, both the window controls and the button for the launcher. I do tend to agree with the logic of top right is natural from a reading point of view, but it's all about what your used to. Ex windows users will be used to the bottom left, OSX users to the tray at the bottom. People seem to forget that once memory muscle is developed, it doesn't matter where it is. The Qwerty keyboard is a good example of this. Personally I found the window controls on the left very disconcerting initially, but now I don't even think about it (memory muscle has been developed). And this is despite the fact that I use Win XP at work and Ubuntu at home. Same applies to the application menu, screen size considerations out of the way, I'm used to it and don't find it that annoying (though the hidden application menu is still irritating, to me this goes against some HCI principles, but it's arguable either way). Regards, James ___ Mailing list: https://launchpad.net/~ayatana Post to : ayatana@lists.launchpad.net Unsubscribe : https://launchpad.net/~ayatana More help : https://help.launchpad.net/ListHelp
