I really like this idea---another idea to "add" to this would be a bubble on hover that suggests to use <ALT><TAB> to get to the App Switcher at any time.....It could have a timed remove (say 10 restarts) and/or a gconf key to turn it on/off
Just my 2 cents worth..... > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:23:55 +0200 > From: Janne Liljeblad <[email protected]> > To: [email protected] > Subject: Proposal: Add item to Top Menu Bar that opens Application > Switcher when pressed instead of the proposed windows list > Message-ID: > <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > Hi, > > I'm believe getting rid of window list buttons in Gnome Shell and not > providing drop down window list might actually be a good idea. It reduces > visual noise and after 15 years of clicking those buttons I myself am ready > to try something new. There are obviously some problems with this: > > - almost all users are completely mentally trained to switch applications > by > pressing task bar buttons > - minimized windows just disappear and have no representation outside of > the > Activities Overview > > These two problems (and others) might be show stoppers for wide acceptance > of gnome shell. > > I believe there is a simple solution that solves both of these problems or > at least makes them markedly less drastic: > > Let's make Application Switcher first class member of the concept by giving > it representation in the Top Menu Bar > > Top left corner of screen would look something like this: > > ----------------------------------------------- - - > | Activities | @a Firefox | @w 3 | > ----------------------------------------------- - - > > - @a is application icon > - @w is an icon representing window, a simple rounded square with thickened > top side to represent window decoration would probably be best > - 3 is number of windows in current workspace. This changes when windows > are > opened or closed or workspace is switched. > > The proposed Application Switcher Item should/might also slightly flash > when > apps are opened or closed to signal change: > > ---------------------------*********----------- - - > | Activities | @a Firefox |* @w 3 *| > ---------------------------*********----------- - - > > - ZING, change happening > > So what happens when user presses this item? > > Well... the exact same thing that happens when user presses ALT + TAB: > Application Switcher appears. > > The Application Switcher Item should also have the same "selected > background > color" when Application Switcher is displayed either using this new item > or > by pressing ALT + TAB. > > The pros and cons of this idea are in my view as follows: > > The Pros: > - makes Application Switcher more discoverable and important item by giving > it visual top level representation > - provides migration path from the current paradigm. When users try Gnome > Shell they *will* press this and discover Application Switcher. A > suggestion > to use ALT + TAB instead would be displayed when item pressed for the first > time > - minimized windows will have representation outside of Activities Overview > - minimizing and closing windows actions differ visually. Closing window > causes the item to flash and the number in the item to change > - gives touch operated interfaces better access to app switching > - replaces the proposed windows list with the preferred solution from the > design point of view > > The Cons: > - makes concept slightly less "pure" by making it more window oriented > - many users will use item to initiate task switch thus doing two clicks > instead the currently one. This, however, is a choice that should actually > be represented but not encouraged. > - makes Activities Overview slightly less important whitch might reduce the > novelty/consistency of the concept. This might also be considered a pro. > - displaying the number of windows in a workspace is often redundant > > Overall, I believe this would be a big win and should be implemented. > > Regards, > > Janne Liljeblad > -- Dean Loros Performance by Design Ltd autocrosser at ubuntuforums.org
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