Re: Gnome Shell

[Allan Day <allanpday gmail com>]

Hi Marshall,

Inline replies are best for mailing list replies [1].

Marshall Neill wrote:
> Hi all,
> To go over a  response to my e-mail
> 
> The easiest way to get to a place is to type it in the search ("Home
> Folder") and yes, we know it's suboptimal.
> 
> 
> Well if I may reiterate, if coming from Windows how would a user know to 
> type Home folder as that is a Linux naming convention I think.  My 
> computer or Explore might be a choice instead.   As the 'older' Gnome 
> shell displayed that option by default.  Kinda handy don't you think.  
> In addition to the Network and others I mentioned.
> BTW, I would think users might be using the Recent Documents section as 
> well.  If they wrote a letter or whatever then they might want to change 
> something.   How do you find Recent Documents in the new Gnome Shell.
> All this is pointing to the fact that the older shell had all these 
> features PLUS cool graphics, if you wanted them.

Jasper already explained - there will be alternatives to this for 3.0
and there will be a new documents interface for a subsequent release.

> That sounds like a bug. What applications aren't showing?
> 
> Well when you clicked on the old Gnome Menu system you would have 
> choices, as in Internet, Games, Preferences, System, etc.
> Now you get all applications but NOT ALL.   Mouse, Keyboard, Keyboard 
> shortcuts, Sound (as in Preferences), Screensaver.
> Sure, Control Center gives that to you but it's not obvious to casual 
> observer that that is the place to go.  You EXPECT that to be out in the 
> open.
> Seems more and more clicking is involved now.

I don't think those launchers were *ever* supposed to be in the
application picker. That was probably a bug with earlier versions of the
shell.

The problem with what you've described is overpopulation. Making each of
these a separate application launcher would overload users with too much
information. We need to keep the application list as short as possible
for that reason.

Individual settings panels will come up is search results though, which
is pretty cool.

(P.S. It's usually not a good idea to use block capitals in emails. It
feels like you're shouting. ;) )

> If you have other things that are bothering you, please tell us!
> 
> 1.  Where did the Minimized application go?  Looking at the screen it 
> appears nowhere.   All that real estate on the 'Panel', why not put it 
> there.  I know they are trying to differentiate, but that feature, I 
> feel, would be greatly appreciated.    Less Mouse moving.

I agree - I don't think minimize makes sense for GNOME 3. There's been
some discussion of this issue previously on the list - you might want to
check the archives.

> 2. No auto-complete in the Run dialog window.

I'm sure that'll be done at some point. Not a top-priority though.

> 3. Focus stealing prevention is enough to drive you mad.  I mean, I am 
> in Thunderbird and Firefox is up and running.   Click a link in an 
> e-mail and a little panel pops up indicating that Firefox has been 'sort 
> of activated' but not brought to the front.  More mouse moving and clicking.
> I would think that in the OS that the parent is Thunderbird and I have 
> clicked a Link, so bring Firefox to the front.
> This even occurs sporadicly in Firefox and you want to send a Link.  The 
> e-mail is behind Firefox and yes, more mouse moving.

I'm not sure what you're describing here. What is this 'little panel'?
Maybe it's a Thunderbird issue?

> 4. I noticed that when I brought up the 'new' Gnome Shell that the 
> window border had changed.  I saw no way to get it back.  I was using 
> Equinox and the new one, I have no idea what that one is.

That is the new default theme for GNOME 3.

> 5. In general it just seems like that there is a lot more mouse moving 
> and clicking than prior.

I'm surprised to hear you say that, since the shell can be used almost
solely from the keyboard. I also don't really find activating the
overview with the mouse to be a chore, since you can simply flick the
pointer into the top-right corner.

Best wishes,

Allan

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