Re: [Ayatana] Problem: the new Unity switcher does not fit in with the concept of workspaces

[Evan Huus <eapache@xxxxxxxxx>]

+1

I have very little to add: well thought out and well explained.

I personally would prefer the ring switcher over the application
switcher, but as a default setting the application switcher is
probably less scary :)

Cheers,
Evan

On Fri, Sep 30, 2011 at 8:00 PM, Justyn Butler <justynbutler@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I originally opened a bug report but Jason Smith suggested that this
> would be better to discuss here.
>
> Summary:
> The new Unity switcher is not designed for changing focus between
> windows on a particular workspace. I propose a solution of adding a
> new default keybinding that activates a feature similar to the compiz
> "application switcher" plugin.
>
> Scenario:
> The user has grouped windows into workspaces according to function.
> When they wish to work on a task they use ctrl-alt-[arrow] to move to
> that workspace. They wish to stay on that workspace and move between
> windows - for example some open pdfs and a document in a word
> processor.
>
> Currently:
> The new alt-tab switcher provides a high-level overview of all open
> windows on all workspaces, grouped by application and each group
> represented by an icon.
>
> Problem:
> The user's approach of intentionally grouping windows on a particular
> workspace is defeated because all windows are listed, not just the
> ones on that workspace.
> The user can see the window they want to type in, but to change focus
> they must think about how that window is represented in the switcher.
> The spacial layout of the windows is also ignored when switching,
> because they are all represented by icons in the central switcher
> carousel.
>
> The issue as I see it is that there are two distinct use cases:
> 1) Generally finding an open application
> 2) Trying to change window focus, having grouped multiple windows on
> your workspace, when you have selected the workspace you want.
>
> Right now with the new switcher the applications are abstracted as
> icons. This is good for the first case, a "high-level" overview of all
> applications, as you say.
>
> But for the second case what you need is something more like the
> compiz "application switcher" plugin, which highlights the each window
> itself as you tab through them. The point is that you look at a
> window, and then you tab until it is highlighted, then you can type in
> it. This is fast and intuitive, and does not require you to mentally
> link the window to whatever it is represented by in the switcher (be
> it icon or preview).
>
> I think that a new default key combination should be created to
> activate this feature. The most elegant keybinding for this would be
> ctrl-alt-tab, because this links well with the keys for moving between
> workspaces, enabling a smooth flow for selecting a workspace and then
> a window on it.
>
> Proposed ctrl-alt-tab workflow:
> User moves to relevant workspace with ctrl-alt-[arrow]. Continuing to
> hold ctrl-alt down, they may use tab to select the desired window on
> that workspace.
> Moving between windows intentionally grouped onto a workspace is fast,
> visual and removes the distraction of what's happening on other
> workspaces.
>
> What do you think?
> If the response is that we are not interested in supporting a
> workspace-driven workflow then I guess the next question is what is
> the rationale behind keeping multiple workspaces at all?
>
> Justyn
>
> Original bug report: http://bugs.launchpad.net/unity/+bug/863399
>
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