Re: [Usability] tab hightlight

[Alan Horkan <horkana maths tcd ie>]

On Sat, 25 Nov 2006, Stefan Kost wrote:

> Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2006 21:22:32 +0200
> From: Stefan Kost <ensonic hora-obscura de>
> To: usability gnome org
> Subject: [Usability] tab hightlight
>
> hi,
>
> could anyone please comment on
> http://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=132173

> gaim and xchat use colors to highlight tabs. gnome uses the blink anim
> in the panel to highlight change in applications. The  issue #132173
> even has a patch and it would be a pitty to let it bitrot...

The use of text colour rather than a background or highlight colour (as in
the taskbar) doesn't feel quite right.  After all MDI is window management
so it should try to use the same cues as the taskbar.

This is probably an accessibility issue as much as anything else, with
usability coming in later to make sure things are consistent.  (sorry I
cannot offer a more insightful answer.)

The bug report asks for consistent guidelines for Tabbed MDI, I just about
managed to restrain myself from saying "just say no" but I do wonder at
what point more detail needs to be provided without giving too much
encouragement to those who would have tabs everywhere.

It would take some serious research to convince me Tabs are not a "power
user" feature.  I remain confident the default policy of SDI first is the
right way to go to Keep it Simple.

-- 
Alan