Re: [Usability]applet/panel/menu inconsistency

[Reinout van Schouwen <reinout cs vu nl>]

Hello Daniel,

On Sun, 2 Feb 2003, Daniel Mellergårdh wrote:

> 1) Dragging a launcher can be done using both left-button and
> mid-button. Dragging an applet can only be done using the mid-button.
>
> Proposal: Only permit dragging using the mid-button (or right-click +
> move). This is also having the advantage of minimizing the risk of the
> object being moved accidently.

I tend to agree with this. I can't think of a reason why applets on a
panel should exhibit different "dragging behaviour" than launchers.

> 2) Left-click-dragging a launcher from the panel to the desktop will
> create a copy of the object to the desktop. Left-click-dragging an
> applet will do nothing.
>
> Proposal: Don't permit copying a launcher by left-click-dragging. Only
> permit moving a launcher (mid-button) - why would I (usually) want a
> launcher both on the panel AND on the desktop?

Don't agree. This goes against the "Put the user in control"-principle.
There could be good reasons why someone would want both, even if you don't
know them in advance. IIRC there has been some discussion already to allow
applets to be placed anywhere on the screen. Someone who knows more can
comment?

> Proposal: The menu should also include "add this launcher to desktop" or
> the "add this launcher to panel" should be removed. (This is already
> possible through the right-click "add to panel" menu).

Don't agree. This would emphasize some artificial separation between the
panel and the desktop. The panel should ideally behave like it were just
another open folder, viewed in a special way.

> 2nd Proposal: Right clicking on the desktop should raise a "add to
> desktop" menu similar to the "add to panel" menu.

Don't agree. That would lead to a submenu salad that's really not pretty
(echoes from Gnome 1.4...).

> 4) Left-click (or mid-click) dragging an launcher from a panel menu
> (such as Applications) is possible to both the panel AND the desktop
> (and I think this is a correct behaiviour). Right-clicking a launcher in
> a panel-menu only gives the possibility to "add this launcher to panel".
>
> Proposal: Right-clicking a launcher in a panel menu should include the
> "add this launcher to desktop" alternative.

Don't agree, for the reasons stated above, and for the sake of UI
simplicity.

> 2nd Proposal: Left-click dragging a launcher from the panel should not
> be possible. Instead the mid-button should be used and this should
> create a copy of the item (since you want to have a launcher both in the
> menu AND on the panel/desktop).

Since not all mice have more than two buttons, only non essential tasks
should be allocated to it. Requiring the third button for one specific
kind of drag operation sounds like "crack" to me.

Whether dragging from the applications menu should be possible could be
subject to discussion, but if we make it possible then it should Just Work
in the same way other drag-operations are performed.

regards,

-- 
Reinout van Schouwen			Artificial Intelligence student
email: reinout cs vu nl			mobile phone: +31-6-44360778
GPG public key http://www.cs.vu.nl/~reinout/reinout.asc