Re: [Usability] [Ayatana] The Future of Window Borders, Menu Bars, and More

[Szabó Gergely <szg subogero com>]

Hello,

I agree that all that the Firefox Button does is re-package the menu bar
in a more compact space on the window border, that is it.

But it is extremely important. Vertical space these days is very
precious with these wide-screen monitors. 

I've already reorganized my Firefox 3.0 toolbars so that the menu, the
simple toolbar, the address bar and the google toolbar are on the same
line. The menu is way too long, sometimes leaving too little space for
the other three.

Honestly, I think it would be best to eliminate the window border and
the status bar altogether (see Chrome). That's why I tend to use Firefox
more and more in full screen mode. Which has other disadvantages
sometimes. 

I have the feeling that Gnome does not concentrate enough on this
vertical space problem. When I changed from Thunderbird to Evolution, I
found I could not align the toolbar and the menu bar on the same line.
Even Transmission with its minimal menu and toolbar, has to have it on
two separate lines. 

I also use a single Gnome panel, which is on the side of the screen.
Originally Ubuntu comes with a top AND a bottom panel. I'm at a loss to
understand why :-)

I'm sorry for this rant, but I think Chrome and Firefox are going in the
right direction. Not beacuse it's better organized or fits into certain
OS' philosophy, but because they hide the used-once-in-a-year stuff from
the screen. Which is very very important.

Best regards
Gergely Szabó