WindowMaker does not make this distinction: The dock has programs that you run, they are always there. You distinguish if it is running or not by the '...' on the icon. I find this very handy; WM is my current favourite desktop. Also, I think getting rid of the artificial distinction between those that can run and are running gets us closer to making a 'true environment'. In a 'true environment' we do not move things based on one attribute, such as we are using them or not. Things are where they are, and we use them when we need them, then put them down. If we were to extend the current paradigm out in the real world, every time we stopped using the computer, we would put it in the closet, and then when we used it we would bring it out again... same for all the objects we use: everything is put in a closet (the hard drive) until we decide to use it, and then we put it into our living room (memory) until we are done with it, and right back into the closet it goes. I think the artificial distinction came from PROGRAMMERS not PEOPLE. People, I think, respond better to environments where things are stateful. When not in use, things in an environment stay where they are, just have a different state. Programmers have in general made certain paradigms of computer use. The Mac tried to create an environment based ona a desktop, but was not fully capable of extending it to its logical conclusion. To kinda bring this to this list's realm, a possible Human-Computer Interface is to have a desktop environment where the things we use (anywhere from notepads to daemons) appear on the screen with their proper states (running, how much they are working, output, etc). Then, there would be some EASY way to get to this environment, or 'ZOOM IN' to what you would like to see. For things that need to be compared, they should be able to be moved asily, like light furniture in a house. (BY the way, I was highly influenced by the easy but POWERFUL interface for 'The Sims', so if you can imagine how that game would fit into this, then you are very close to understanding how we can make an environment. Also, Roller Coaster Tycoon is a pretty fine interface). Maybe all windows are temporarily gone whenever you hit a certain key (meta keys, function keys) so that you 'ZOOM OUT' to the desktop environ, see what is going on, then can zoom back in. Of course, this is only theory and invention; it could be a bad idea, but I would love to see linux/gnome experiement with GUIs where Apple/Microsoft are set in their ways. > Got this weird idea.. Is there any real reason > why there is a distinction between application > you *can* run and those that are running? > > Okey they are different ;) but why.. > > Really *why the distinction between the start > menu and the taskbar*. > > John > > _______________________________________________ > gnome-gui-list mailing list > gnome-gui-list gnome org > http://mail.gnome.org/mailman/listinfo/gnome-gui-list
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