Re: Idea for GNOME 2.10 (metacity): Improved ALT+TAB window

[Alan <alan ufies org>]

On Wed, Dec 22, 2004 at 09:43:37PM +0100, mayco wrote:
> This is my first message to a gnome maillist, so I hope everything
> goes well placing it...
> 
> I had a suggestion for a new ALT+TAB window because the current one
> does'nt look that pretty, and since ALT+TAB'ing is a common action, it
> would be nice to have some nice screen for that.
> 
> I was thinking about something like Windows XP has with the powertoys,
> but more HIG-like.
> 
> Screenshot: http://www.forest.impress.co.jp/article/2001/12/12/powertoysxp_taskswitcher_2r.gif
> 
> Perhaps the preview can be (optionally) done with the new Xorg
> composite extension?
> 
> I'm looking forward to what you guys think.

Hi there. 

I'd have to disagree with this, UNLESS it can be done at the same speed
as alt-tabbing is currently.  I completely agree that the alt-tab looks
pretty crappy right now (no offense to those involved), but since it's
such a common task the last thing that we want to do is make it slower.
Maybe create/draw the previews if the alt-tab is held down for > 1
second or something, but if I'm quickly switching between two apps doing
development or something, having to wait an extra few seconds for a
preview to be created/drawn is the last thing I want :)  I played with
the powertoys for a bit once and it was way too slow.  I think that the
way it's set up in the screenshot is a bit too .... 'eye candyish'.
Didn't Enlightenment have something like this back in the day that
worked nicely, was pretty well integrated into the system and fast
without being overly garish?

alan


-- 
Alan <alan ufies org> - http://arcterex.net
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