Windows 8-like tiles, tabs and more

[Иво Георгиев <ivo linvo org>]

Sorry if this has been suggested before, but I could not find any publications that mention it. Also, if you don't like the idea, please don't be bashful.

Let me explain why I would consider Windows 8-like tiles to be useful. Demo:�http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p92QfWOw88I

First, a lot of people are used with icons and really find it hard without them. Second of all, widgets have really proven a nice feature of the modern day desktop interface.�

However, if one desktop features the functionality of both icons and widgets, it becomes cluttered and un-elegant, unlike the GNOME shell style. On the other hand, tiles provide an elegant compromise between icons and widgets - informative, convenient for mobile devices, good looking. Also, this would be fairly easy to implement - WebKit running on the desktop, with a simple system to support HTML5/_javascript_ tiles. Then every application will have the option of providing a tile for itself which you can put on the desktop. For example, Liferea can have a tile showing the recent news, which when clicked brings the whole application. Rhythmbox may have a controlling tile, again - when clicked brings the whole application. Of course, you can have this functionality implemented by a tray icon, but tiles are more convenient since they are always shown, and they will stay on the desktop even if the application is not launched.�
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Another idea, this may also be suggested before, to use the GNOME shell tabs for microblogging. You can have a tab which integrates with Gwibber, and you will be able to post status updates directly through the shell.�

Also, it would be nice if GNOME3 shell provided a button "Get more applications" in the bottom of the Applications tab, which can be configured (at build time/by GSettings) which command to launch. I know this can be created via an extension, but it would be nicer if it's provided upstream. Distribution developers can customize this for their distribution (for example, it will launch the Software Center in Ubuntu, Gslapt in Slackware, synaptic in Debian, etc.).�

Thanks for reading