menu panel decision time [was Re: [Usability]recent documents in panel]

[Luis Villa <louie ximian com>]

On Sun, 2002-09-15 at 20:04, James Willcox wrote:
> On Sun, 2002-09-15 at 17:49, Dave Bordoley wrote:
> > On Sat, 2002-09-14 at 17:40, James Willcox wrote:
> > 
> > > Ok, I change the "Documents" menu to look like this, and I've also gone
> > > ahead and implemented the "recent applictions" stuff.  New screenshot: 
> > > http://snorp.coreyo.net/files/Screenshots/panel-recent-apps.png
> > 
> > I think if you're going to add a recent used apps feature, it may make
> > more sense to put it into the applications menu.
> 
> Ok, several people have mentioned this.  How does the following look: 
> http://snorp.coreyo.net/files/Screenshots/gnome-panel/panel-recent-apps-2.png
> 
> I don't know if I really like it at the top, but if it was any place
> else in the applications menu, I think you lose a lot of the advantages
> a recent app menu gives you (like less menu traversal).

So... I think this whole discussion sort of points out (again) the
weakness of the application/action distinction. Basically, the
distinction is weak and seemingly arbitrary. All a user (and hell, most
packagers) can tell is that 'run program', 'search for files', and 'take
screenshot' are not substantially different than 'check my mail' or
'change my preferences.' The only difference is that in one set of menus
we don't phrase it as 'check my mail', we phrase it
'internet->evolution'. There is otherwise (to the user) not a
substantial difference, AFAICT.

So... are there any plans to reorganize and/or rename these for 2.2? I
know it's been discussed a little bit, but I think this obvious that the
MRU lists fit very poorly in the current scheme, and we definitely want
these in 2.2. 

[Personally, I'd suggest applications|recent|system, but then again I'm
talking out my ass :) 

Luis