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