unity-design team mailing list archive

[Thibaut Brandscheid <randaltor@xxxxxx>]

Hi all

I think the decision is a good one.

The dodge effect is confusing for new users and the launcher in 11.10 is
too anxious.
Here are my pros and cons:

*Normal user → never hide*
pro
- easy discoverability
- user will recognize & understand the concept immediately

con
- launcher takes much screen space
- the control buttons of maximized windows seems to be out of place

Launcher is used by a normal user for:
- getting an overview about running programs / the OS
- start programs
- switch between programs (workspaces - if they use this 'advanced' feature)
- get additional information, e.g. download bar

Normal user run mostly only a few applications simultaneously. *They don't
understand every option the computer offers to them* and they are happy if
they can do what they want (surf the web, write mails, chat, skype...).
Therefore a static launcher is a good default. Normal users have a good
visible anchor to open and switch between programs - thats worth the
vertical screen space IMHO.

*Power user →always hide*
pro
- maximum screen space for application content
- launcher is a mouse push away

con
- lesser overview about running programs
- no additional information, e.g. download bar (don't know if this is true,
maybe an launcher icon shows up if there is something new)

Launcher is used by a power user for:
- (start programs)
- get additional information, e.g. download bar

Power user know what they do and have an overview about all the running
applications. They use different workspaces and ALT+Tab or CTRL+ALT+[Arrow
key] to change focus/interact with another program. The launcher provides a
power user in comparison to a normal user much less useful information and
can therefore be hidden.


*Summary*
When differentiating between the needs of normal and power users the
decision makes sense. Power user know how to changes system settings ;)

The only point I don't really get is why the default launcher icons are
soooo big - could be because they want to have them in a line with the
window control buttons - but then better use the minimum that still fits
with the window control buttons → launcher icon size 43 = makes a huge
difference and 'feels' more elegant than the current default size 48.

Thibaut