GPE/matchbox

Hi,

Here are some thoughts about GPE/Matchbox integration and usability, and especially the window title and the opened_app_menu,

- window title bar:

Looking for more space in the screen, the window title bar is a nice place to display information on the *content* of the current window (like which file is open, ...)

However, displaying this info in the opened_app_menu might be irrelevant.

- opened applications menu:

I find a bit confusing that the currently opened window is not displayed in the opened app list: it makes that according which window is open, the menu looks different - so your eye can not catch a global picture of it and find fast the wanted app. Don't you also experience that?

Also removing the opened window from the menu, makes its size to change - and some times a lot! this is also eye confusing.

Another thing, as gpe-appmgr is assumed to be always there (does it?), and as it plays a particular role - among other apps, I think it should be marked as. And for instance, it should be always at the *same* place (It is a central point of the environement), in the app_menu or wherever it is.

==> proposal:

- gpe-appmgr, as "Programs" is always on top of the opened_app_menu
- each top level (and dialog?) window is showed in the menu (at any time), in the order they are realized
- the currently opened window is highlighted
- the window title is by default the same as the opened_app_menu entry, it may be changed by the app itself to display information of the window content

hmm... a little draw might be more clear:

 v [title........][x] <-------- _set_title()
 +------------+
 | Programs <------ gpe_appmgr
 | app_1 <------ _set_wmclass(w, "app_1", ...)(?)
 | app_2 (1)
 | app_2 (2) | <--- a second window has been opened
 |*app_3******| <--- current window (higlighted)
 +------------+

how does this sound?

cheers,
luc

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Received on Fri Aug 30 2002 - 18:26:02 EDT