unity-design team mailing list archive

[Thorsten Wilms <t_w_@xxxxxxxxxx>]

On 11/09/2011 08:57 AM, Simon Čopi wrote:

> 1. Why is launcher fixed on the left side? On wide screens there is
> "quite far" to reach it if you are on right side. Bottom is closer. But
> if there is no bottom place for it because of space, there is space on
> the right side. If I move mouse to the right there should be unity too,
> why not? I would like to have it on both sides.

With the Launcher on one side, and always the same at that, it is 
possible to adjust the layout of application windows, to avoid having 
important stuff close to that side, to reduce the risk of accidentally 
triggering the Launcher. Doing so for both sides would be too limiting.

With the Launcher on one side, you never have to decide which side to 
take. Instead, you can form a habit easily.

In general, offering more than one way to accomplish something, forces 
the user to decide, requiring attention / conscious thought to do so, 
which may interrupt the flow and causes delayed action.


> 2. Faster way to find a started application. Minimised applications are
> problem. We have alt-tab or i can find it on launcher. But if there is a
> lot of applications, it takes some time to find the proper window by alt
> tab. I am thinking of new special button on a launcher or short-cut key
> combination which would show "new launcher" with all active
> applications. It can be the same as alt-tab panel. But when it is not
> launched by alt- tab, I could choose application by mouse click on that
> panel.

While it works on the window, not the application level, Super-W might 
serve your needs (Super also known as Windows key).


--
Thorsten Wilms

thorwil's design for free software:
http://thorwil.wordpress.com/