Re: [Ayatana] Idea for improving visibility of running applications

[Ed Lin <edlin280@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Thu, May 5, 2011 at 6:40 PM, Niklas Rosenqvist
<niklas.s.rosenqvist@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> "But please tell me one reason why increasing the visibility of the
> background of running apps isn't just as good in terms of visibility
> with the added benefit of being always visible, not just on hover,
>  i.e. more consistent and more usable."
>
> The reason for why I don't think that's such a good idea is because there's
> a risk there will be too much going on on the launcher together with
> colorful icons, counters and progress bars. Therefore I believe the solution
> is to tune down the noise and not add more, this will provide a cleaner
> interface.

But there is one IMO huge advantage that would make it worth it: I
always have the increased information available, with or without mouse
hover and there is no risk of hovered icons of not running apps
looking almost the same as running apps.
It's asking a bit much, but if you have time could you make an
interactive mockup for this variant as well, maybe with some progress
meter or counters?

> I just finished my JS and HTML mockup and I feel that it works very good in
> practice. Don't expect it to be completely bug free because I did it quick
> and dirty to just have something to show you guys. It basically works in all
> new browsers so feel free to try it out. Though if you click around like
> crazy there's a chance the icons don't change as they should.
> Mockup:
> http://unity-mockup.nsrosenqvist.com/
> Source:
> http://unity-mockup.nsrosenqvist.com/source/unity-mockup.zip

Great work with the mockup, thank you! The new desaturated effect is
much better.