unity-design team mailing list archive

[James Jenner <james.g.jenner@xxxxxxxxx>]

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